THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON (Lancashire, Rossendale)asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether he can give the House any information as to the grounds on which the grant of separate Quarter Sessions was given by Her Majesty's Privy Council, on the 27th August last, to the borough of Blackburn; whether any, and, if so, what, number of Petitions were presented against the said Grant by the County Justices, Boards of Guardians, and other Local Authorities; whether the said Petitioners had an opportunity of appearing to state their grounds of opposition before the said Grant was made; and, whether he is prepared to bring in or support a Bill to remedy the injustice caused by the said Grant of Quarter Sessions, whereby the Borough of Blackburn is relieved from county rates, exceeding £3,200 per annum; that additional amount of rates being thrown upon the Poor Law Unions of Haslingden, Burnley, Clitheroe, Preston, and other parts of the county of Lancaster?
§ THE SECRETAEY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said that the step referred to in the Question was taken on the recommendation of his Predecessor in July last. The grounds upon which the Grant was given were the size and population of the borough, and certain considerations relating to the administration of justice. Numerous Petitions were presented against the Grant. It did not appear that any deputation of Petitioners was received at the Home Office; but all the Petitions were considered. The points to which the last paragraph of the noble Marquess's Question referred would have to be considered in connection with the County Government Bill; and it was not necessary to anticipate the provisions of that measure by the introduction of a special Bill.