HC Deb 05 June 1888 vol 326 cc1174-5
MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

(for Mr. CONYBEARE) (Cornwall, Camborne) asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether Mr. Robinson, the Vestry Clerk of the parish of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, had received notice from both Mr. Lee and Mr. Fowler that, as they had been duly elected, they should attend and take their seats as Vestrymen at the meeting of the Vestry on May 31; and, whether the clerk has alleged that or any other reason as the grounds for his application to have a force of police secreted in the church of the said parish?

THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham. E.)

Yes, Sir; I am informed that the Vestry Clerk had received such notice. The clerk informs me that he applied for the assistance of the police on the ground that he had received letters which led him to anticipate that an attempt would be made to disturb the proceedings of the Vestry.

MR. M'CARTAN (Down, S.)

(for Mr. CONYBEARE) (Cornwall, Camborne) asked the President of the Local Government Board, Upon what grounds were eight ballot papers disallowed at the recent Vestry election in the parish of St. Giles- in-the-Fields on May 17; whether it is the fact that, in consequence of such rejection of votes, Mr. Cooper, of 1A, Church Passage, and Mr. Gardiner, of 110, Great Russell Street, were allowed to take their seats and vote at a meeting of the Vestry held on May 31; and, whether it is not the fact that, but for such rejection, Mr. Lee, of 25, New Compton Street, and Mr. Fowler, of 58, High Street, would have been elected by a majority of at least three over the first-mentioned gentleman?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

The Local Government Board have no jurisdiction whatever with regard to the election of Vestrymen in parishes in the Metropolis, and they have no information on the subject of the disallowance of the votes alluded to. If there is any ground for questioning the legality of the proceedings in the case in question, I presume that those aggrieved would have their remedy in a Court of Law.