§ MR. DAWSONasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the Collector General of Rates for the city of Dublin has directed that the names of occupiers of tenements rated under £4 per annum shall not be returned for the Poor Law franchise, 993 and, further, that he has decided, in regard to weekly and monthly tenants, to rate not occupiers but landlords in all cases where valuation is under £8 per annum; if the Law which enabled this latter practice to be carried on has not been repealed (see 12 and 13 Vic. c. 91, s. 63); and, if care will be taken that, in any such proceedings, nothing will be done to endanger the rights of occupiers to the Parliamentary franchise?
§ MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI am informed that the Collector General of Rates, acting under the advice of eminent counsel, has given the direction referred to. I also understand that steps are being taken to test the legality of his action in a Court of Law. A provision has been inserted in the Registration of Voters Bill, now waiting for second reading, to secure that the right to the Parliamentary franchise shall not be endangered by any decision which the Courts may give.