HC Deb 17 March 1884 vol 286 cc32-3
MR. TOTTENHAM

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether any Return laid before Parliament contains the present numbers of inhabited houses in the various counties and boroughs in Ireland returning Members to Parliament, classified according to their various rateable values; whether the Return ordered by the House of Lords, on the 7th February, would contain such information; whether the Government will take the necessary steps to insure that the House shall have more information as to the character of the inhabited houses in the various counties and boroughs in Ireland before proceeding with the consideration of the Franchise Bill; and, why the preparation of a Return bearing on proposed legislation is not pushed forward with all possible speed?

MR. TREVELYAN

Sir, I am not aware that any Return on this subject has been already laid on the Table of the House; but a Return giving the information indicated in the Question was obtained on the 7th of July, and its preparation is being pressed forward as rapidly as possible.

MR. HEALY

Upon this matter may I ask whether this is the Return obtained by the House of Lords in opposition to the wishes of the Government; whether the Government intends to ask the House of Commons for a Vote to pay for this Return; and will the Return be prepared before the House of Commons has an opportunity of saying whether they will vote the money or not?

MR. TOTTENHAM

Will the second reading of the Franchise Bill be taken before this Return is laid on the Table?

MR. COURTNEY

As the hon. Member for Monaghan (Mr. Healy) is aware an additional Vote to pay for this Return has boon placed on the Estimates.

MR. HEALY

But can the Secretary to the Treasury give the House of Commons any guarantee that no money will be spent in preparing this Return until the House of Commons has passed the money?

MR. COURTNEY

said, that the special Tote would be taken in ordinary course, and in that case it would not be necessary to take it very soon. The Vote on Account which would be asked for must, however, be taken shortly.

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

What will be the amount of the Tote on Account in reference to this matter?

MR. COURTNEY

I cannot say now. The figures will be furnished when the Vote is asked.

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

Will it be £500?

MR. COURTNEY

I really cannot say.

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

I beg to give Notice that I will move the reduction of the Vote by the amount asked for to cover the expenses of this Return.