HC Deb 27 July 1883 vol 282 cc775-6
MR. HEALY

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the Valuation Office would have any difficulty in preparing a Return showing the number of tenements valued at £4 in Parliamentary boroughs in Ireland, distinguishing each borough; and also the number of holdings in each county in Ulster valued at £11 10s. or any intermediate sum up to and excluding £12, distinguishing each county; whether he is aware that complaint is made of a systematic policy of excluding Catholics from the Franchise by rating them at a figure just outside the qualifying amount; and, whether the proper authorities will oppose any objection if application is made by the parties interested, where some trivial valuation excludes from a vote, to increase this to the qualifying amount when the holder is willing to pay rates and taxes on the higher figure?

MR. TREVELYAN

I am informed that such a Return could be prepared, but that it is a question whether it could not be more accurately done by the clerks of the several Unions than by the Valuation Department. In any case it would take a considerable time; but if the hon. Member sets store by it I will communicate with the Local Government Board. With regard to the second paragraph of the Question, I am not aware of any such complaint being made, and the head of the Valuation Department assures me that he is quite satisfied that there is no ground for it. I am advised that alterations in valuation can only be made in accordance with the statutory requirements in that behalf, and that the suggestion in the last paragraph of the hon. Member's Question could not legally be carried out. The statutory requirements seem to be very strict.

MR. DAWSON

With reference to this Question, I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman, Whether he is aware that though the law gives every £4 occupier in Ireland the right to vote, the Collector General's Act in Dublin prevents him rating anyone for the franchise whose valuation is not above £8?

MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

asked, Whether the demand of the hon. Member for Monaghan was not met by a Return ordered on the 6th of April last?

MR. TREVELYAN

said, the Return at present before the House would not meet the demand of the hon. Member, because he wished to have the words "at and under £4." He was quite aware that the anomalous state of things complained of by the right hon. Member (Mr. Dawson) existed in Dublin.