§ MR. W. H. MYERS (Winchester)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware of the very generally expressed feeling against the power at present possessed by a single elector of demanding a poll at a parish meeting; and whether he will take steps to alter or curtail this power?
§ THE SECRETARY TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. T. W. RUSSELL,) Tyrone, S.I presume that the Question of my hon. Friend is intended to apply to the demand for a poll by one parochial elector with reference to the election of parish councillors. If so, I can only say, as was stated in reply to a previous Question, that, if it should be found from the representations received that there are substantial grounds for an alteration in this respect, the question will be further considered before any general order is issued as 1006 regards future elections, and the Government will take such steps as may appear to be necessary. With regard to matters respecting which it is expressly provided by the Local Government Act of 1894 that one parochial elector shall have the right to demand a poll, no alteration can be made without legislation, and I am not prepared at present to give any undertaking as to proposing legislation on the subject.