§ Mr. COTTONasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that one of the persons employed by the clerk of the urban district council of Rathmines in the work of distributing the requisition forms under the Franchise Act, 1884, is an avowed agent of the Unionist organisation of South Dublin county, within which the district of Rathmines is situate; and whether, in view of the fact that on the filling and returning of the forms referred to depends largely the character of the register of voters, he proposes to take steps to prevent such action on the part of this public official?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe duty of distributing the requisition forms under the Franchise Act, 1884, is cast upon the Poor Rate collectors, and the clerk of the Urban District Council has no power in the matter. 107W I am informed that no avowed agent of any political party is employed in the district on the work.