Mr. KELLYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, whether the Crown will undertake to bear the expenses of the preliminary investigation of cases where personation is alleged at local government elections and where the presiding officer prosecutes but the accused are not returned for trial.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe answer is in the negative.
Mr. KELLYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to consider the position of a presiding officer who is in a case of this kind liable to be penalised for performing an act which the law compels him to do?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have called the attention of the Law Officers to the question, but I am afraid the answer must still be in the negative.
Mr. KELLYCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope of an Amendment of the law in regard to this matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI cannot at this moment promise any legislation of that kind.