§ 69. Mr. SITCHasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the inconvenience caused to electors at the recent General Election in many rural districts owing to the paucity of polling stations; whether he is aware that at the forthcoming rural district council elections many electors will have to go four miles, and 1374 sometimes more, to record their votes; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a circular or otherwise approach the local authorities with a view to the provision of a polling station in every village populous enough to contain a public elementary school?
§ Major ASTORPrior to the General Election a few representations were received in favour of further polling facilities. These were communicated to the county councils concerned, who appointed additional polling places where possible. My right hon. Friend has no information, however, that general inconvenience was caused to electors in rural districts at the election. As regards elections of rural district councillors, any poll for the election of a councillor for a parish would, as a rule, be held at a place in the parish, unless there is not a suitable room available in the parish. Any poll for the election of parish councillors would take place at the same time. Where small parishes are united together to elect a rural district councillor, my right hon. Friend does not think it would be practicable, in view of the expense involved, to arrange in every case for a polling station in each such parish. If, however, the hon. Member will inform my right hon. Friend of the names of the particular parishes to which he refers, he will consider what action can be taken.