HC Deb 23 April 1885 vol 297 c473
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been directed to the action of the Donegal Board of Guardians in refusing, by a resolution passed at their meeting on the 18th instant, to direct the clerk of the Union to serve the notices required by the ninth section of the Representation of the People Act, pending the receipt of instructions referred to in his letter of the 7th instant to the Board; whether these instructions have any connection with the service of the notices; whether the action of the Board, by postponing to serve the notices referred to, is calculated to disfranchise a large section of the householders of the Union; and, whether the Local Government Board will take immediate action to prevent further delay by the Donegal Guardians in having the notices duly served?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The facts are as stated, and the Local Government Board have told the Clerk that the Guardians had no power to make such an order, and that he is bound to proceed with his duty of serving these notices without unnecessary delay.

MR. HEALY

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will direct the Local Government Board to send down an Inspector in order to see that this shall be done immediately?

[Reply inaudible.]

MR. HEALY

Will he telegraph to the Local Government Board to ask whether the voters should be disfranchised or not?

[No reply.]