HC Deb 26 March 1860 vol 157 c1243
MR. DARBY GRIFFITH

would beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether the Returns of the number of Voters in Cities and Boroughs, at from £6 to £10, are not obtained from the Parochial. Rate Books, through the instrumentality of the Poor-Law Board, and are therefore founded on statistics of rating, and not of rental; and, if so, whether such Returns, so based on rating, can afford any correct estimate of the number of Voters that a Rental Franchise of £6 would add to the Constituency?

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

said, he understood that the Rate Books had a column for gross rental as well as for rateable value; but his right hon. Friend, the President of the Poor-Law Board, could perhaps answer the question more satisfactorily.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

said he wished to inquire whether the figures taken from the Rate Books, which formed the basis of the noble Lord's calculation, in estimating the probable increase of Voters to be added to the Constituency by the Bill of the noble Lord, were taken from the rental column, or the rating column?

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

One column, I believe, contains the rental, and the other the rateable value.

SIR JOHN PAKINGTON

The noble Lord, I think, misapprehends my question, which was, whether his calculations were founded on the figures taken from the rateable value or not?

LORD JOHN RUSSELL

I understand not, from the President of the Poor-Law Board.