§ 7. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, as President of the Local Government Board, if any and, if so, what regulations are issued by his Board for the guidance of clerks to 380 boards of guardians as to the fitness of their using their official position to influence political opinion; whether the attention of the Board has been directed to statements made by the clerk to the Old-castle Board of Guardians; and whether they were uttered in contravention of the rules laid down?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThere is nothing in Article 45 of the Local Government Board's General Regulation, which prescribes the duties of the clerk, which deals with this matter; but in cases which have arisen from time to time the Board have stated that they consider that Poor Law officials should refrain from interfering in election contests beyond exercising their statutory right to vote. I am not aware of the statements to which the hon. Member draws attention.