§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the 391 Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he intends before the annual election in March to reduce the rateable qualification for Poor Law Guardian in Ireland to the standard recently fixed for that office in England?
MR. J. MORLEYFrom the information at present before the Local Government Board for Ireland, they are of opinion that a uniform reduction of the rating qualification for the office of guardian, such as that made in England, would not be generally acceptable to the unions throughout Ireland; but where any application has been made to the Board to reduce the existing qualification, the guardians of the union concerned have been informed in every case that if, after due notice, they pass a resolution in favour of reduction, the matter shall receive the favourable consideration of the Local Government Board.
§ MR. HAYDENDoes the right hon. Gentleman take into consideration the fact that these men do not represent the ratepayers, and are not likely to pass such a resolution as he refers to?
§ [No reply was given.]