HC Deb 13 August 1894 vol 28 cc775-7
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland who is responsible for the denial of the allegations as to the insertions of controverted names on the Dunshaughlin Polling List for South Meath; will he order a copy of the Register to be sent over for his personal inspection; and, if not, will he inquire of the police at Ashbourne Barracks, where the 1894 list is exhibited, whether or not the names appear on it; and has he any further information from the Revising Barrister?

MR. J. MORLEY

As regards the seven names to which the question refers, I find that Brien Carney is on the Register for 1894. Five of the seven names are on the supplementary list for this year, but these persons will not be entitled to the franchise until the supplemental list has been revised at the ensuing revision. This supplemental list when revised will form part of the Register for 1895, but the persons comprised in it are not ipso facto entitled to the franchise for 1894. The list, I am advised, forms no part of the Register for 1894. My hon. and learned Friend in his previous question inquired whether the seven names appear on the present Register, and my reply, which was based on the Report of the Clerk of the Peace, was therefore accurate save in regard to one name—that of Brien Carney.

MR. T. M. HEALY

I am not satisfied with that answer. It is incorrect to say that only one name appears in the Register. I myself produced the Register and showed two. The other five are in the supplemental list. Is the right hon. Gentleman going to tolerate this deception of the House of Commons by an official?

MR. J. MORLEY

I have already given orders for a remonstrance to be addressed to him.

MR. DODD () Essex, Maldon

In what way could this official be discharged?

MR. T. M. HEALY

I have had occasion to put five questions in regard to this list. Inasmuch as the majority for South Meath is only 50 and the questions put affect 30 names, will the right hon. Gentleman send down an Inspector to hold an inquiry, sworn or otherwise, into the circumstances?

MR. J. MORLEY

Not being satisfied with the answers, I am considering the proper way of dealing with the matter. I intend to go into it.

MR. DODD

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer my question?

MR. T. M. HEALY

He can be discharged by the Lord Chancellor or under the Act of 1877.