§ MR. SEALE-HAYNE (Devon, Ashburton)asked the President of the 1799 Local Government Board, whether, having regard to the state of the law, which permits clergymen and ministers of religion to become members of county but not of municipal councils, he will deal with this question in the Local Government Bill of this Session, or give facilities for the passing of a short Bill removing the anomaly?
§ * MR. RITCHIEIt is not proposed by the Government to introduce a Bill this Session altering the law as regards existing disqualifications for the office of Town Councillor, and I cannot undertake that, if any such Bill should be introduced by a private Member, facilities would be given for the consideration of the measure in preference to that of other Bills.