HC Deb 31 March 1885 vol 296 cc1090-1
MR. SEXTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the Government will introduce into their Registration (Ireland) Bill a provision to oblige objectors (to the right of claimants) to specify the ground of their objection; also a provision to cast the onus of proof on the objector to a claimant or voter, and to render liable to a penalty in respect to each objection proved to be groundless; and, what provision will be made in view of the declarations of clerks of unions in Ireland that the time allowed by present arrangements for preparations of the new registers is wholly insufficient?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN

The hon. Member is no doubt aware that the Irish Government are anxious that the amendments of the Registration Law suggested in the first part of his Question should be extended to Ireland, and that in 1883 they brought in a Bill accordingly, which, however, did not become law, although it was carried through this House. The present Registration Bill was introduced with a view of facilitating the arrangements for the next revision, and I fear that its passage would be imperilled by the introduction of a clause which might fairly be expected to lead to much opposition. If the Registration Bill passes on an early date, and the local officials commence their preliminary proceedings without delay, and exercise a reasonable diligence, they ought to be able, in the opinion of the Government, to complete the registration within the time limited by law.

MR. HARRINGTON

The Question of my hon. Friend refers to the state of the law in Ireland, whereby every per- son entitled to the franchise may be compelled to come up to prove his claim; and I would ask whether, having regard to the fact that at the approaching Revision Sessions the registry will be doubled, the right hon. Gentleman does not consider it necessary to introduce some provision for putting an end to that anomalous condition of things? Does the right hon. Gentleman think it will be carrying out the Franchise Act to leave it in the power of any person in Ireland to oblige every single claimant to come up to prove his claim?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN

said, the intention of the Government was that a General Election should take place in the early autumn, and in order to provide for that it was necessary to pass the Bill without delay. It would not be possible to pass the Bill in time if any debatable matter were included in it.

MR. HARRINGTON

The right hon. Gentleman does not understand my Question. I may remind him that at the approaching Revision Sessions the number on the register will practically be doubled.

MR. SPEAKER

The hon. Member is only entitled to ask a Question, which he is not doing now.

MR. HARRINGTON

I am asking a Question, Mr. Speaker. I am asking the Chief Secretary whether, having regard to the fact that the constituencies in Ireland will be practically doubled, nay trebled, at the approaching Revision Sessions, the right hon. Gentleman thinks that the intention of the Franchise Act will be carried out if he leaves untouched the anomalous condition of the law by which every person entitled to be placed on the list of voters may be arbitrarily compelled to come up to prove his claim?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

The hon. Member can suggest any Amendment which will secure the object he has in view, and at the same time will not delay the Bill. The Government will be prepared to give it every consideration.

MR. SEXTON

said, clauses would be proposed in Committee. Was it true that the Solicitor General for Ireland had stated to a company of barristers that it was the intention of the Government to go to the country on November l5th?

[No reply,]