§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that a member of the Dewsbury board of 377 guardians has not attended a meeting for more than twelve months, and that the guardians refuse to take steps to fill up the vacancy; and will he take action in the matter?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I understand that the facts are as stated, and that the guardians have not taken steps to declare the seat vacant in view of the fact that there will be a triennial election in April next, when the whole of the guardians go out of office. Unless the absence of the guardian in question from the meetings of the board has been caused by illness, or by some other reason approved by the guardians, they should declare the office to be vacant, and thereupon, if notice in writing of the vacancy is given by two guardians to the chairman or clerk, an election must be held to fill it up. I am pointing this out to the guardians; but I have no control over them in the matter.