HC Deb 04 March 1897 vol 46 cc1600-1
MR. WOODS

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is aware that W. H. Scriven, Chief Clerk at the County Prison, Chelmsford, acted as poll clerk at the Parliamentary elections in Romford on 1st February, and at Walthamstow on 3rd February 1897; and whether it is legal for Government officials to act in such capacities during a Parliamentary Election.

SIR MATTHEW WHITE RIDLEY

The facts are as stated, but I am not aware that it is illegal for a Government official to act in this capacity. I may add that the work was undertaken by the officer while on leave, and did not therefore conflict with the discharge of his official duties; and that, not being an act of political partisanship, it did not infringe the rules which govern in this matter the servants of the Crown. ["Hear, hear!"]