§ MR. LABOUCHEREOn behalf of the hon. Member for Caithness, I beg to ask the Attorney General whether his attention has been called to the Return of the expenses incurred by candidates at the last General Election which shows in many instances payments beyond the maximum allowed by the Corrupt Practices Act; and whether he intends to take action in reference to the matter?
§ SIR C. RUSSELLMy attention has not been specially called to these Returns. To constitute the offence under the Corrupt Practices Act 1883 in relation to amount expended it must be shown that the candidate or his election agent knowingly incurred expenses beyond the maximum allowed by the Act. The Public Prosecutor informs me that no case of this kind has been brought before him for his consideration.