HC Deb 03 March 1885 vol 294 cc2014-6

Order for Second Reading read.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Attorney General.)

MR. SEXTON

said, that the Bill pressed very severely upon the burgesses of Dublin. It was intended to relieve municipal voters, but in Dublin it was necessary for a man to have two years and eight months residence in order to obtain the burgess vote. Now, that was a very oppressive state of things; and he asked the hon. and learned Gentleman the Attorney General (Sir Henry James) if he could not arrange to extend the Preamble so as to remove the anomaly he had referred to?

MR. HEALY

desired to point out a most curious fact. While it was proposed to extend very properly to Ireland the benefits of the English Act for municipal purposes, the Act for Parliamentary purposes was not to apply to them at all. He trusted the Government would see their way to remedy this defect.

MR. DAWSON

said, he had intended to propose an Instruction to the Committee with regard to the two points which had been mentioned by his lion. Friends. He thought the Committee should have power to insert a clause reducing the qualifying period from two years and eight months to one year, as in England and Scotland, and to incorporate the Act, which had been done in the case of Scotland, relating to relief granted to Parliamentary voters. He hoped the Government would consent to remove one of the grossest anomalies that it was possible to exist. It could easily be done by the insertion of a clause to that effect in this Bill.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)

said, that he would con- sider the matter, and see whether what the hon. Gentleman wished could be done.

Motion agreed to.