HC Deb 12 April 1888 vol 324 cc1065-6
MR. T. M. HEALY (Longford, N.)

asked the President of the Local Government Board, If the views of the Government as to the franchise to be created by the Local Government Bill are correctly expressed in the Marquess of Salisbury's speech in Carnarvon, as reported in The Times of the 10th instant—namely, They (the Counties) return members by precisely the same franchise as that which will return these bodies (the County Councils); and, is it intended by the Government that the Parliamentary franchise shall be the franchise under the Local Government Bill instead of a rating franchise?

THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)

I have had no opportunity of ascertaining whether the report in question correctly describes the Marquess of Salisbury's remarks; but there is so little difference between the two franchises that I think anyone would be justified in alluding to the franchise under the Bill, which is the municipal franchise, as a similar franchise to the Parliamentary, especially when, as would seem to have been the case in this instance, a parallel was being drawn between the position of Parliamentary and County voters under the new proposal of the Government.

MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)

asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether it would be possible for the debate on the Local Government Bill that night to include the discussion of the principle involved in the next Order on the Paper—Local Government(England and Wales) Electors Bill?

MR. RITCHIE

said, that the two Bills referred to were essential parts of the same measure, and it would be convenient that both Bills should be discussed on the Motion for the second reading of the Local Government Bill. He believed that that course would be in accordance with the Regulations of the House, and he would ask the Speaker to say whether it could be adopted.

MR. SPEAKER

Under the circumstances of the case, and considering the close connection between the Bills, I do not think I ought to raise any objection to a general discussion taking place upon the two measures.