HC Deb 26 April 1898 vol 56 cc1220-1
MR. CLANCY

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether the Local Government (Ireland) Bill makes no provision for the extension of the municipal franchise in Ireland in towns which possess town boards but which will not become urban districts; and (2) if so, whether it is the intention of the Government to make proposals in Committee on the Local Government Bill to prevent the anomaly of a restricted franchise prevailing in those towns while an extended suffrage will exist everywhere else?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Under the Local Government Bill no alteration is proposed in the franchise or constitution of the towns which are not urban authorities, and which elect not to become urban district councils under Clause 26 of the Bill. Of course, such towns will form part of a rural district, and the rural district council will be the road and sanitary authority in them.

MR. CLANCY

Will the right honourable Gentleman answer the last part of the Question?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

The answer to that is in the negative.