§ MR. FIELDTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether there is any supervision over the Belfast Harbour Commissioners by any governmental department; whether he is aware that the ex-officio representation on that Board by the Belfast Corporation is not in force, the present Lord Mayor being an elected representative; whether there is any intention by the Government to reform the elective franchise of this Board, on which at present the plural votes amount to 6,000 in a total of 14,000, the highest qualified elector
† See (4) Debates, clvi., 1459.761 having 46 votes and the lowest rating-qualification being £20; and whether he will consider the advisability of taking action in this matter.(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Belfast Harbour Commissioners are not under the supervision of any department of the Government. The Lord Mayor of Belfast is ex-officio a member of the Harbour Board; but it is the fact that the present Lord Mayor is also an elected member of the Board. The electorate, consisting of shipowners and ratepayers, is constituted by The Belfast Harbour Act, 1883, the lowest rating qualification being £20. Plural votes are allowed by the Act, but I have no information as to the number of plural votes or as to the total number of electors. There are many other harbour boards in Ireland constituted on similar lines. So many suggestions for legislation on various subjects are made to the Irish Government that prudence dictates extreme caution before making any promises whatever.