HC Deb 09 May 1905 vol 145 cc1341-2
DR. MACNAMARA

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether it is in the discretion of boards of guardians, under the Order and Circular of the Local Government Board on the Feeding of Hungry Children, to enforce the disfranchisement of a parent whose child in the opinion of the guardians is suffering from want of food through no fault of the parent.

MR. ARTHUR HENDERSON (Durham, Barnard Castle)

I beg at the same time to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether it is intended that parents whose children are provided with meals under the powers of the recent Order shall be disfranchised on the ground of such relief.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Perhaps I may be allowed to answer these Questions together. Neither the Local Government Board nor the guardians have any authority or jurisdiction with regard to any question of disfranchisement. The receipt of parochial relief within the prescribed period is a disqualification for being registered as a voter. I am not aware that the fact of the relief being given on loan would make any difference in this respect, but whether in any particular case a person is disqualified on the ground of receipt of parochial relief is a matter for the Revising Barrister.

DR. MACNAMARA

Is not the Answer to the latter part of my Question practically in the affirmative, so that disfranchisement will occur in these cases?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Yes, so far as I am aware.

MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that it has been twice decided in the Law Courts that relief given in the form of loan does not disqualify.

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I am not aware of it.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

I will send the right hon. Gentleman the cases.