§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that to affect votes in North Tyrone the Guardians of the Strabane Union ordered the alteration of the ratebook after it had been signed by them; was this brought under the notice of the Local Government Board, and what did they do thereupon; was the same course followed in the Castlederg Union, and did the Revising Barrister there refuse to act on the altered ratebook when produced in Court; is he aware that the Tory registration agent for North Tyrone, the son of a Guardian of the Strabane Union, has been most active in procuring the alteration of the ratebook; and that the Strabane clerk presented to the Guardians for signature for 1893–4 a ratebook carrying forward and including the alterations illegally made; and do the Local Government Board intend to take any action thereon; is he aware that these alterations were not on the last valuation roll when it came down from the valuation office in the revised form; that the non-appearance of these alterations on the valuation roll arose from no official mistake; that there was no appeal taken against the descriptions of ratings on the valuation roll; that these changes of description do not even yet appear therein; that in the case of the revised valuation roll the ratepayers have a certain time to appeal, whereas as against alterations made in the manner complained of there is no appeal; and whether, in view of the uneasiness which prevails in Strabane and Castlederg as to the possibility of manipulating the ratebooks in the interest of a particular party, a sworn inquiry will be granted by the Local Government Board, in view of the very narrow majorities by which the seat in North Tyrone has always been carried?
§ MR. BRYCE (for Mr. J. MORLEY)The allegations of fact, understand, appear to be substantially accurate. The facts were brought under the notice of the Local Government Board, and the 1754 latter pointed out to the Strabane Guardians there was no legal authority to make the changes referred to; and to the Castlederg Guardians that their action was highly irregular; and at the same time cautioned the clerk to adhere strictly to the requirements of the law in future. As respects the suggestions contained in the question of the objects sought to be attained by the alterations made, I am not in a position to express-an opinion at this moment; but I will communicate with the Local Government Board as to the propriety of holding an inquiry under oath.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Strabane Guardians are about to hold an adjourned meeting with a view of dealing with this ratebook? I understand that they are all Conservatives, and that there is only one objecting to this course. Will steps be immediately taken by the Local Government Board to prevent such an illegality?
§ MR. BRYCEI have not heard any statement to the effect mentioned by the hon. and learned Member. Clearly, as an inquiry is contemplated, it would not be proper for the Guardians to take, meanwhile, any action which would in any way affect the result.