§ MR. W. ABRAHAM (Cork Co., N.E.)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland if his attention has been called to the action of the Clerk of the Mallow Union in refusing to allow a candidate for Clenor Electoral Division to inspect claims to vote at the election for said division, although the sanction of the Board of Guardians had been obtained; whether there is any enactment or regulation to prevent a candidate, or his agent, inspecting such claims; and if the candidate for Clenor Electoral Division will now be permitted to examine claims to vote lodged with the clerk?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.My attention has been called to the matter referred to, and I am informed that no order was made by that Board of Guardians that Mr. Barry should be permitted to inspect these claims, nor was permission to do so refused by the Clerk of the Union. The Guardians, at their meeting on the 25th ult., when Mr. Barry applied to be permitted to inspect these claims, determined to refer the matter to the Local Government Board for advice. They did so, and were informed by the Local Government Board that there was no enactment or regulation under which a ratepayer, candidate, or his agent can demand an inspection of these documents before an election. The matter is apparently entirely in the discretion of the Guardians.
§ MR. ABRAHAMCan the right hon. Gentleman say why a different practice prevails in this, as compared with other Unions?
§ MR. ATKINSONI have explained that the matter is one entirely within the discretion of the Guardians.