HC Deb 11 February 1897 vol 46 cc151-2

On the Order for the Second Reading of this Bill,

MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

moved— That it be an Instruction to the Committee on the Dublin Corporation Bill that, either by definition or enactment, they make provision for conferring on women the municipal franchise within the City of Dublin.

MR. TIMOTHY HARRINGTON (Dublin, Harbour)

submitted that the Instruction of the hon. Gentleman was out of order. In the Bill which had now received the Second Reading there was no extension of the franchise, there was merely a provision for the registration of those already in possession of the franchise. He submitted that the Instruction of the hon. Member would be the repealing of a public statute by means of a private Bill.

*MR. SPEAKER

said the Bill altered the register by enabling persons to get on the register on different terms to those on which they could previously be on it. Therefore, he thought that the Instruction was in order as an Instruction, although he thought an Instruction was required.

MR. JOHNSTON

in moving the Instruction said it spoke for itself. They only proposed by it to give to the women of Dublin what the women of Belfast already possessed.

MR. HARRINGTON

said he hoped the House would not treat the citizens of Dublin and the Corporation of Dublin so unfairly as to give its assent to this Instruction. It would be in the recollection of the House—

*MR. SPEAKER

If the hon. Member is opposing the Instruction it must go on to another day.

MR. HARRINGTON

I am opposing the Instruction. But I do not oppose a Division upon it this evening.

*MR. SPEAKER

That is not the question.

Debate adjourned; to be resumed upon Wednesday next.