§ COLONEL MALCOLM (Argyllshire)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Government intend to alter the date of the County Councils Elections in Scotland from December to a date more favourable to communication with outlying districts?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Sir C. J. PEARSON,) Edinburgh and St. Andrews UniversitiesWhen the Local Government (Scotland) Bill was before Parliament, it was considered desirable that the triennial election of County Councils should be held as soon as practicable after 1st November—the date of completing the electoral roll. In order to give adequate time for making the necessary arrangements as to nominations and polling in counties so widely scattered as that represented by my hon. Friend, it was deemed necessary to postpone the day of election to the third Tuesday in December. So far, only one County Council has represented to the Secretary for Scotland in favour of a change; and presumably the general opinion is, that the date fixed is the most suitable one.