HC Deb 24 May 1898 vol 58 cc562-3

Amendment proposed— Page 41, line 17, after 'district' insert 'other than the county borough of Dublin.'"— (Mr. Clancy.)

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Amendment proposed— Page 41, line 21, at end, insert— Provided that this section shall not apply to the county boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry."—(Mr. Gerald Balfour.)

MR. T. M. HEALY

I would remind the right honourable Gentleman that there are other equally strong cases of county boroughs besides Londonderry and Belfast. Take the case of Dublin. There will first be a ballot as to who shall go out, and they will have to go out in the year following, and we may have three elections in three years. It does seem to me that Belfast and Londonderry might very well take their position with the others.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. J. ATKINSON,) Londonderry, N.

As the elections for the county boroughs of Belfast and Londonderry will practically be upon the existing franchise we do not think it will be necessary to put these communities to the trouble and cost of a new election, which would be unfair to these boroughs.

Amendment agreed to without a Division.

Question put— That clause 70, as amended, stand part of the Bill.

Agreed to without a Division.

Clause 71 agreed to without discussion.

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