MR. JAMES WILLIAM LOWTHERI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the County 313 Council of Cumberland has declined to frame regulations, or draw up a table of fees, with regard to the inspection by the public of a marked register used at an election for the Electoral Division of Hesket, in the County of Cumberland, under the provisions of "The Local Government Act, 1888," "The Municipal Elections Corrupt Practices Act, 1884," and "The Ballot Act, 1872;" and, whether the Local Government Board will suggest to the County Council of Cumberland the desirability of carrying out the provisions of the above-named statutes in this matter?
§ MR. MATTHEWSI will answer this question with the permission of my hon. Friend. I am informed that the marked register is enclosed in the same sealed packet as the counterfoils of the voting papers, and I am advised that this packet cannot be opened for the purpose of taking out the register for inspection without an order of the County Court Judge. There might, no doubt, be a further difficulty in obtaining inspection of the register arising from the fact that as yet no regulations have been made by the County Council with regard to the inspection of such documents; but I do not understand that the County Council have declined to frame such regulations, and I have caused them to be reminded that they should proceed to do so without unnecessary delay.