HC Deb 24 May 1905 vol 146 cc1241-2
MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered the decisions given in the cases reported in Knapp and Omblus election cases, pages 114 and 320, and O'Malley and Hardcastles reports of decisions in election petitions, page 161, in all of which it was held that money given as a loan by the Poor Law authorities on the understanding that it be repaid was held not to be relief which disqualified a I voter, and that in both cases the vote was allowed; and whether these decisions regulate the giving of relief to destitute school children when such relief is to be considered as a loan to the parent.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, Central

I am aware of the cases to which the hon. Member refers. They do not relate to the question of the disqualification for being registered as voters of persons who have received relief on loan under the Poor Law Amendment Act, 1834, and I am advised that they would not apply to any such disqualification in cases arising under the Relief (School Children) Order, 1905.