§ SIR WALTER FOSTER (Derby, Ilkeston)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Local Government Board for Ireland have yet obtained a test case to determine the question as to whether contracts of tenancy are to disqualify persons from being members of district councils whose tenants they are; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to settle the matter by a decision of the higher courts.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThe Local Government Board have taken proceedings in a case where a rural district 1338 councillor was a tenant of a labourer's cottage, but as the magistrates convicted and imposed a nominal fine the case did not come before the higher courts. The magistrates' decision in this case was communicated by circular to all rural district councils. The Board have instructed their solicitors to endeavour to obtain a test case to decide the question in the higher courts.