§ Mr. F. ROBERTSasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether he is aware that the chairman of the General Nursing Council demanded that a rule should be passed by that council to the effect that any irregularity, however grave, in the selection of nurse representatives as conducted by him might be condoned by himself, thus depriving candidates of the right to question his decision in a court of law; whether this rule was sanctioned by the late Minister of Health; and whether, in view of the necessity of not withholding from any persons rights conferred upon them by Parliament, he will reconsider this rule?
§ Major BOYD-CARPENTERThe hon. Member is under a misapprehension as to the effect of the rule, a copy of which I am sending to him. It is in accordance with legislative precedent and was adopted by the Council at the instance of the late Minister of Health. The return- 2389W ing officer's power under the rule is limited to condoning irregularities which, in his opinion, have not substantially affected the result of the election, and there is an appeal from his decision to the Minister of Health. A rule of this kind is particularly necessary in the case of elections conducted by post, and the hon. Member will find a precedent for it in the Fifth Schedule to the Representation of the People Act, 1918.