§ Mr. SNOWDENasked the President of the Local Government Board if he has had any communication about a vacancy by death on the Dewsbury Board of Guardians; and, as the guardians will not take steps to fill the vacancy, will he give the necessary instructions to them?
§ Mr. BURNSI have received a communication on this subject. Section 66 of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882, as applied to the election of guardians by the Guardians (outside London) Election Order, 1898, requires that, on a casual vacancy in the office of guardian, an election shall be held within one month after notice in writing of the vacancy has been given to the chairman or to the clerk by two guardians. The view of the Local Government Board is that a casual vacancy should be filled up as soon as practicable, and although I am not empowered to give any instructions in the matter, I have informed the guardians of the Board's view and drawn their attention to the statutory provisions applicable to the case.