HC Deb 19 December 1893 vol 19 cc1749-51
MR. P. M'HUGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland has yet decided to reduce the rating qualifications for Poor Law Guardian in Manorhamilton Union from £20 to £10, as requested by the Board of Guardians of that Union; if no decision has yet been arrived at, can he explain the cause of the delay; and can he state definitely when a decision will be arrived at?

DR. R. AMBROSE

At the same time, I will ask the right hon. Gentleman whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have power to reduce the rating qualification for Guardians; can he explain why the Local Government Board have not complied with the request of the Castlebar Board of Guardians in April last to reduce the rating qualification for Guardians in their Union to £5; and will he take steps to secure that the rating qualification for Guardians in Castlebar Union will be reduced to the amount desired—namely, £5; and, if so, will he see that such reduction takes place in time to permit of advantage being taken of the change at next Poor Law elections in March?

MR. BRYCE (for Mr. J. MORLEY)

The Local Government Board have received no request for a reduction of the qualification for the Guardians of the Manorhamilton Union this year. In the beginning of 1892 a request was received but then refused. The general question of the reduction of the qualification for the office of Poor Law Guardian throughout Ireland has been engaging the careful attention of the Chief Secretary for Ireland, who hopes to come to a decision in full time to admit of its taking effect at the next annual election in March, 1894. The two cases now mentioned await that decision.

MR. SEXTON

Is it not the fact that in England the qualification for Poor Law Guardians was of the uniform level of £5; and, if so, have the Irish Local Government Board suggested any reason why in the poorer country of Ireland the qualification should vary from £10 to £30 a year, thus practically excluding the Poor Law electors from the office?

MR. BRYCE

All these matters are being carefully considered by the Chief Secretary, and no doubt this point will be brought under his consideration.

MR. P. M'HUGH

Is it not proposed under the Parish Councils Bill to remove altogether the rating qualification of Guardians? I may point out the right hon. Gentleman has not satisfactorily answered paragraphs 2 and 3 of my question on the Paper.

MR. BRYCE

I answered them by saying that the whole question is being considered, and that a decision may be given in time for the next election.

MR. P. M'HUGH

Am I to understand that the rating qualification in Manorhamilton Union will not be reduced unless a fresh application is sent in? One was made in 1892.

MR. BRYCE

I conclude that any decision of the Chief Secretary will apply to Manorhamilton as well as other Unions.