§ SIR T. ROBINSON (Gloucester)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that the Gloucester Board of Guardians have decided upon opening a stoneyard in order to find temporary work for the unemployed, half the cost of which is to be paid to the men in cash, and the other half in goods; and whether this payment will disfranchise any voters receiving it; if so, whether he has any power to prevent this disfranchisement; or, if not, will he bring in a short Bill giving him the power to do so under certain exceptional circumstances?
§ MR. SHAW-LEFEVREThe Local Government Board have not been informed by the Gloucester Board of Guardians of their decision to open a stoneyard with the view to a labour test for adult able-bodied persons in receipt of outdoor relief, but I have no 40 reason to doubt that the fact is as stated in the question. The receipt of relief from the Guardians, although accompanied by a labour test, will disqualify persons for the Parliamentary Franchise. Until the Committee on Distress from Want of Employment have made their Report, I feel unable to give an answer on the question as to disfranchisement.