§ MR. JAMES DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland—(1) whether he can state how many sworn inquiries were held during the year 1893, 1894, and 1895, arising out of the election of poor law guardians in Ireland; (2) and, whether he will take steps to have elections for the position of poor law guardian in future carried out under the Ballot Act.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe number of sworn inquiries held during the years mentioned in connection with the election of Poor Law Guardians in Ireland were 13 in 1893; 8 in 1894; and 12 in 1895. Legislation would be necessary to give effect to the proposal in the second paragraph, and I cannot give any pledge in the matter at the present.