§ 16. Colonel WOODCOCKasked the Home Secretary whether he is aware that a permanent employé on the staff of the borough corporation of Smethwick has been given permission to be nominated as a candidate for election to the city council who employs him, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 12 (1) (a) of the Municipal Corporation Act of 1882; and whether he will introduce legislation imposing a penalty in the case of disqualified persons who become members of borough councils?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI may draw the attention of my hon. and gallant Friend to the provisions of Section 41 of the Act he mentions, by which a person who acts in a corporate office whilst disqualified is liable to a penalty of £50.
§ Colonel WOODCOCKCan the right hon. Gentleman take steps in the event of an employé becoming a councillor, as the council already have shown their 679 appreciation or, at any rate, have shown that they have no feeling about the matter by saying that they will have no objection to the man becoming a councillor?
§ Mr. COMPTONIs it not a fact that the Act provides for a common informer coming in on such an occasion; and would not this be a good opportunity for the hon. and gallant Gentleman?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSIn any case, I cannot assume that an illegal act has arisen until the case is proved. It may be possible that he will resign his other position.