COMMANDER, BETHEL (York, E.R.,) HoldernessI desire to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is true, as stated in the Press, that women at present sit on the London County Council; and whether, in that case, the Council is legally constituted; and if it is not, whether Her Majesty's Government propose to take any action in the matter?
§ * MR. W. H. SMITHI am informed that it is true that two ladies sit on the London County Council. Their right to do so is a question of law, which it is not the duty of the Government to deal with, but I understand that the action of these ladies will form the subject of legal proceedings. It is alleged that the fact of disqualified persons taking seats at a Council does not in any way affect the legal constitution of the Council as a whole, but the disqualified persons by such action lay themselves open to legal proceedings.