§ MAJOR BANES (West Ham, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the fact that a person was nominated and elected for a ward on the West Ham Board of Guardians when she was already a member, and has twelve months to serve in another ward, without first resigning her seat; and whether, according to the Regulations of the Department, she can vote for or represent either ward.
§ MR. WALTER LONGMy attention has been called to this case. The real question appears to be whether the person referred to was disqualified for being elected as guardian for one ward whilst in office for another. I have no authority to decide this point, and there are no Regulations of the Local Government Board which affect the matter. The question can only be determined by an election court on a petition. I am, however, advised that it is open to considerable doubt whether she was not disqualified. She has applied to me to consent to her resigning her seat for the ward for which was she first elected, but in the circumstances I have not at present thought it expedient to accept the resignation.