§ MR. HANBURY (Preston)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he can state how many County Magistrates within the Duchy have been brought to his notice as Chancellor for having refused to take the declarations of members of a different political Party at election time and registration time during his tenure of office; and whether there is any official record of such cases?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER (Mr. BRYCE,) Aberdeen, S.The assumptions on which the hon. Member's question appears to rest are incorrect, nor would it be fitting for me to make such a statement as he asks for. There is no official record of such cases.
§ MR. HANBURYWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what assumption of mine is incorrect?
§ MR. BRYCEThe assumption that there was any special reference to Lancashire, or to County Magistrates specially.
§ MR. HANBURYThen the right hon. Gentleman had no special information as to Lancashire Magistrates when he made that statement?
§ MR. HANBURYI have a right to ask this question. The right hon. Gentleman, speaking as the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, brought certain charges against certain County Magistrates. Were those Magistrates within the Duchy of Lancaster or not?
§ MR. BRYCEThe limits of Order in answering questions are very narrow, and, therefore, I will only say that I did not bring any charges whatever. The statements I made were quite general.