§ MR. STANLEY LEIGHTON (Shropshire, Oswestry)asked the President of the Local Government Board, Whether he can give to the House an approximate estimate of the number of electors under the County Government Bill whose rates will be paid by their landlords; and, whether, in view of the importance of carrying out the principle that direct taxation should accompany direct representation in the administration of the rates, he will consider the expediency of limiting the operation of the compounding Acts to those localities where they are already in force, and to rents which are payable weekly or monthly?
§ THE PRESIDENT (Mr. RITCHIE) (Tower Hamlets, St. George's)I presume that my hon. Friend refers to the occupiers who are usually known as compound householders. I have no information as to the number of such occupiers in England and Wales; and I cannot, therefore, give to the House any approximate estimate of the number of compound householders who will be 1036 entitled to vote in elections under the Local Government Bill. There is no intention on the part of the Government, in connection with the Bill, to propose any alteration in the existing compounding Acts.