§ Mr. Altonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether any rules apply to the appointment of the returning officer and his clerks referred to in paragraph 40(2) of the Local Elections (Principal Areas) Rules 1973; and, if so, if he will list them.
§ Mr. MayhewThe appointment of returning officers at local government elections in England and Wales is governed by section 41(1) of the Local Government Act 1972. Clerks are appointed under rule 22(1) of the Local Elections (Principal Areas) Rules 1973, which provides inter alia that the returning officer shall appoint such clerks as may be necessary for the purposes of the election, but that he shall not appoint any person who has been employed by or on behalf of a candidate in or about the election.