§ MR. JUSTIN M'CARTHYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the fact that, in the city of Derry, the Catholics number nearly two-thirds of the population, and yet, owing to the condition of the Municipal Franchise, are represented by only two Catholic town councillors in the Corporation, 644 while all the officers of the Corporation, from the highest to the lowest, are Protestant?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTERSir, I find, from the Census of 1871, that the Catholic population of Derry was 55 per cent of the population. As regards the religious belief of the town councillors or the officers of the Corporation, I have no official information. I dare say my hon. Friend is right in his statement; and I shall not be surprised to know that it arises from the condition of the municipal franchise. I think the hon. Gentleman will agree with me that this is not a matter in which I would be justified in making any official inquiry.