§ MR. WOODS (Lancashire, Ince)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware 1440 that Robert Halliwell, the present Registrar of Births, Marriages, and Deaths ill Wigan, is the agent of a political Party in the town, and was a surety for the recent political Petition case in Wigan, and that he is now a political candidate for one of the wards in the town; whether these are permitted to any person holding such an office under the Government; and, if the conduct of the Registrar is contrary to the Rules of the Service, what course will be pursued by Government?
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. SHAW-LEFEVRE,) Bradford, CentralI learn from the Registrar General that Mr. Halliwell has held the office of Registrar of Births and Deaths for more than 26 years. He is also a Registrar of Marriages. The Registrar General has no knowledge as to the political views of Mr. Halliwell, or as to his being an agent of a political party. Registrars of Births and Deaths are appointed by the Guardians. They are not salaried officers of the Government, but derive their emoluments from fees. There is nothing in the Regulations which would prevent their undertaking any duties which do not clash with their duties as Registrars, and the Registrar General considers that he has no power to interfere with the officers in respect of the work which they may undertake out of office hours.