§ MR. WEIRI beg to ask the Lord Advocate whether the Secretary for Scotland has received from ratepayers resident in the borough of Cowdenbeath, Fifeshire, complaints of irregularities in connection with the recent election of the Cowdenbeath Burgh Commissioners, and will he say what action he proposes to take in the matter.
§ *MR. A. GRAHAM MURRAYA complaint alleging the commission of irregularities at the burgh elections at Cowdenbeath in 1899 was received by the Secretary for Scotland. The complainers were informed that the Secretary for Scotland had no jurisdiction, and that 39 their remedy was by petition to the court. It would be impossible to do away with irregularities by special legislation, nor do those alleged seem to call for it. It is not proposed to take any further action in the matter.