§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether it has come to his knowledge that large numbers of people, principally belonging to the working classes, have been for years deprived of the franchise by reason of the non-collection of rates from property owners in the Parliamentary borough of Kilkenny; and, whether he will take steps to prevent the disfranchisement of the people in future, either by the failure of the Poor Law authorities to collect the rates, or of property owners to pay them when demanded?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR.) Leeds, CentralIt appears to be the fact that a certain number of persons have been affected in the manner stated by the non-payment of rates. The Local Government Board exercise no jurisdiction over Boards of Guardians in their capacity as Overseers under the Franchise Acts, but the Clerk of the Union states he will take all necessary steps in the preparation of the register for the coming year so as to insure that all persons duly qualified to vote will be placed on the register.