§ 72. Major M'KENZIE WOODasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the inadequacy of the number of polling stations in Parliamentary elections in rural constituencies; whether he will give directions that in all elections there shall be at least one polling station in each parish; and whether he will institute an inquiry as to the best means of giving further facilities for recording votes in rural areas either by travelling polling booths or otherwise?
§ Mr. MUNROI have been asked to answer this question by my right hon. Friend the Lord Advocate, who has, under the Representation of the People Act, 1918, certain duties in regard to this matter. My right hon. Friend's attention has not been called to the inadequacy of polling stations in rural constituencies generally. A few representations with regard to the polling facilities in particular constituencies have been made to him under the Representation of the People 1442 Act, 1918, and have been duly considered. The Lord Advocate has no power to give the directions suggested in the second part of the question. He can only consider the polling facilities in any particular constituency on are presentation by a local authority or by not less than thirty electors. The Lord Advocate is not satisfied that the inquiry suggested by my hon. and gallant Friend is necessary, but, if he desires to submit any new scheme for the recording of votes at elections, it will be duly considered.