§ MR. J. G. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland, whether he is aware that at the recent parish council election in the Lochalsh ward of Lochalsh parish, Ross-shire, the Rev. Angus Galbraith and Duncan M'Lennan were elected parish councillors on the nomination of Donald Cameron and Farquhar Macrae, and that Donald Cameron was also elected a parish councillor; and that Donald Cameron and Farquhar Macrae, although their names appeared on the roll of voters, had their names returned to the parochial board, since the parish council election, as being in arrear with their rates, and therefore not entitled to be entered on the roll of voters or to nominate or be a candidate; whether he will declare, in consequence of these irregularities, the election of the above councillors null and void, and either declare the three other candidates elected or order a new election; and whether he will take steps to protect the bonâ fide electors in future, and prevent such irregularities in making up the roll of voters in the parish of Lochalsh.
§ SIR GEORGE TREVELYANI am informed that the persons referred to paid their rates immediately after the collector made up his books on the 20th of June, and were therefore not returned to the Assessors as defaulters. I have no power to declare the election null and void. The only competent way of raising the question was by petition in the usual way.