§ MR. J. H. C. HOZIER (Lanark, S.)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware that the cost of the Parish 655 Council Elections in the various parishes of Lanarkshire has been greatly in excess of the cost of the corresponding School Board Elections; and, if so, whether anything can be done in the interest of the ratepayers to limit such expenditure?
§ *THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY, Buteshire)The School Board Elections of 1894 in Lanarkshire cost £4,064. The Parish Council Elections of 1895 in Lanarkshire cost £4,421, in addition to £1,048, the cost of making up the first Parish Council register. Without committing myself to the opinion that these figures are sufficient to prove that the expenditure on parish council elections, taken all round, was excessive, I think they suggest the desirability of some inquiry into the subject. I have conferred with the Secretary for Scotland, who will be glad to give the matter his consideration. As the hon. Member is no doubt aware, the first parish council elections were held under exceptional arrangements, and in future they will be combined with the County Council and municipal elections.