§ MR. MAGUIREOn behalf of the hon. Member for South Roscommon, I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will recommend the Irish Local Government Board to exercise their power to fix the rateable qualifications for Guardians in Ireland at the same figure (£5) as that fixed by the President of the Local Government Board for England; and whether, in the event of the suggestion being favourably entertained, he will have steps taken to have the new qualification come into force before the March election?
§ MR. BRYCE (for Mr. J. MORLEY)The Irish Local Government Board have made some efforts in the direction of lowering the qualification during the present year, but have not carried the operation very far. The Chief Secretary doubts whether it is possible to reduce the qualification to the uniform figure mentioned by the hon. Gentleman. But he has called the serious attention of the Local Government Board to the subject, with a view to a larger reduction in the qualification than has so far been effected. My right hon. Friend is in communication with the Board upon the last paragraph of the hon. Member's question.