MR. MOONKY (Dublin County, S.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury if he is aware that under his proposed scheme seven British county constituencies, i.e., Bute 18,641, Rutland 19,719, Radnor 23,821, Sutherland 21,239, Peebles and Selkirk 19,106, Berwick 30,793, and Flint 21,559, making a total population of 154,868, will return Seven Members of Parliament, whereas the county of Dublin, with a population of over 2,000 more than the above total, is only given two Members; and whether, in view of the disparity in the population of these Parliamentary constituencies, he will revise the proposed distribution of seats in accordance with more equitable principles.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURThe hon. Gentleman has pointed out that under the Bill of the Government there would be disparities, and there would always be disparities in any measure not based upon equal electoral areas. That proposition does not require proving, I accept it, it is undoubtedly true; but I do not think it a conclusive argument against the proposals of the Government.
§ MR. MOONEYBut will not the Bill create further electoral disparities?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo, the hon. Gentleman has not proved that it would create electoral disparities. It would leave some electoral disparities untouched.