Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Lord Advocate whether his attention has been called to the refusal of the returning officer in the school board election for the parish of Balfron, Stirlingshire, to accept the nomination of Mr. Robert Sewell on the ground that, as ex-headmaster of the public school, he draws a pension from the funds of the Board; and whether he proposes to take any steps to test the legality of this refusal?
§ Mr. UREMy attention has been called to the matter referred to by my hon. Friend. It is not in my power, or in the power of the Departments I represent, to take any steps to test the legality of the refusal of the returning officer to accept the nomination of the gentleman named.
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs there any reason why the receipt of a pension should disqualify for a seat on a school board, when it does not disqualify for this House?
§ Mr. WATTWould the hon. Gentleman say who is responsible for the instructions given to this returning officer?