MR. PARKER SMITH (Lanark, Partick)I beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether he is aware of the strong objection felt by many of the larger burghal authorities in Scotland to holding the elections for town councillors and for parish councillors on the same day, on the grounds that it will lead to confusion and not save expense; and whether he is prepared to meet these objections by accepting the Local Government (Scotland) Act (1894) Amendment (No. 2) Bill, which separates the days for the two classes of elections?
§ SIR J. LENG (Dundee)At the same time may I ask the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been directed to a representation by the Association of Burgh Officials of Scotland of the serious confusion and difficulty, both to the voters and officials at the poll, likely to attend any attempt to elect parish councillors in burghs at the same time as town councillors or commissioners at the elections on the first Tuesday in November; and whether he will endeavour to prevent such confusion and difficulty by bringing in an amending Act, as was done in England, to provide for the holding of these elections on separate days?
§ THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. GRAHAM MURRAY,) ButeshireI will answer the Questions of the honourable Members together. We have seen the representations referred to, but we cannot accept a Bill on the subject, or bring in an amending Bill at present.