§ MR. HORACE PLUNKETT (Dublin Co., S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that, under the present rules of the Local Government Board, there is at no time during the revision of the Voters' Lists, or upon the counting of the votes, an opportunity given to candidates or their legal advisers to appear and give evidence for or against parties claiming to be rated, or claiming to be registered as voters, or claiming to vote; and whether, in the event of his introducing any Measure having reference to the Local Government Board in Ireland, he will, as regards the election of Poor Law Guardians there, make provision that candidates, or their legal advisers, shall be given the opportunity of producing before the Returning Officer, and at a properly-constituted Revision Court, evidence on oath, in favour of, or in opposition to, all claims to be admitted to the Poor Law Franchise?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURUnder the Poor Law Code there is no opportunity given until after a poll has been taken to object to the qualification of any voter, but candidates and their legal advisers may, on the counting of the votes, make their objection, and on appeal to the Local Government Board the validity of the return can be determined. Some change in the law in the direction indicated is desirable and will be taken into consideration.