§ Mr. CLELANDasked the Secretary to the Treasury whether his attention has been directed to the requests made to obtain lists of old age pensioners from pension 349 officers; whether such officers are empowered to furnish such lists; and whether he is prepared to take steps to prevent such lists being furnished to any person during the course of an election?
§ Mr. HOBHOUSEThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. Pension officers are expressly forbidden by the Board of Customs and Excise to disclose information of this kind, and I am informed that the Board are not aware of any case in which their instruction has not been observed.