§ MR. SEXTON (Sligo, S.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that Mr. Perry, chief clerk in the office of the Collector General of Rates, Dublin, has this year made an alteration in the rate books which is calculated to deprive of their franchise rights persons occupying premises rated to the relief of the poor under the annual value of eight pounds; whether the chief clerk is a member of local Conservative clubs; and, what the Government will do to prevent illegal tampering by officials with the franchise rights of occupiers?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. JOHN MORLEY) (Newcastle - on - Tyne)I am informed that any changes which have been made in the Dublin rate book this year were made by direction, not of Mr. Perry, but of the Collector General, acting on the legal advice of the late Attorney General for Ireland and Mr. Carton, Q.C. The Collector General reports that 1366 every person has teen rated who is entitled to appear, so far as the collectors of the various wards have been able to ascertain. It does not rest with the Collector General, nor with anyone in his Office, to decide who is entitled to the franchise,