§ MR. CYRIL DODD (Essex, Maldon)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Parish Councillors Election Order, put out by the Loral Government 726 Board, does not adapt or alter the Municipal Elections Act, 1884, sufficiently to give a simple or cheap procedure for the trial of disputed Parish Elections, inasmuch as a formal petition, the presence of a barrister to represent the the Public Prosecutor or Attorney General, and the like are necessary in the case of Parish Council disputes; and that, in several cases where clear ground existed for upsetting elections, no action could be taken because of the expensive procedure provided; and if he will consider the matter with a view to publishing an Order better adapting the Act named to such elections?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. G. J. SHAW-LEFEVRE, Bradford, Central)I am aware that there is not at present a simple or cheap procedure for the trial of disputed elections of Parish Councillors. I have, however, no information as to whether there have been cases where clear ground existed for upsetting elections, but no action could be taken because of the expense of the procedure. When preparing the Regulations for the elections in December last, I was advised that the Local Government Board were not empowered to make any fundamental changes in the Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884; but as the question is not free from doubt, I propose to take the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to the powers of the Board in the matter. If they should be of opinion that the Board have the power, I will consider what amendments can be made in the Order.