HC Deb 11 February 1908 vol 183 cc1546-7
MR. J. MACVEAGH

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Local Government Board has been called to the resolutions adopted by the county council of county Down in August, 1903, and again in December, 1907, urging that the Parliamentary polling districts should be remodelled so as to make them coterminous with the electoral divisions and that such a change would effect a saving to the county funds, besides facilitating the preparation and revision of the lists of voters; whether the Local Government Board has also considered the suggestion of the same body that powers should be given to the county councils to have the register of voters made out alphabetically in town-lands, or, as regards urban districts, in streets, where the county council may consider that course necessary or desirable; and whether he will undertake to introduce a Bill to give effect to these recommendations or give facilities for a private Member's Bill on the subject.

MR. BIRRELL

The Local Government Board have no powers in regard to the division of Parliamentary counties or boroughs into polling districts. The attention of the Irish Government has, however, been directed to the resolutions referred to in the Question. The boundaries of Parliamentary counties in Ireland are based upon the boundaries of baronies, half-baronies, and parishes, which areas-are no longer administrative units for any purpose of local government. The administrative units are the district electoral divisions, and these are not coterminous with any of the areas mentioned. It would be very difficult if not impossible, to carry out any general provision by Statute to the effect that Parliamentary polling districts should always be coterminous with district electoral division" or groups of divisions. It often happens that an alteration of one or more of such divisions is an administrative necessity, and upon every such change it would be necessary to make corresponding alterations in the Parliamentary polling districts. The inconvenience thus caused would probably outweigh any advantage which might attend the adoption of the first of the county council's suggestions. The second proposal relates to a matter which does not appear to be of first importance, and I am not aware that any very useful purpose would be served by its adoption. It will, however, receive consideration. I do not, as at present advised, propose to introduce a Bill to give effect to the recommendations, nor can I promise facilities for a private Member's Bill.

MR. COKRIE GRANT

asked if it was not possible to follow the precedent set in regard to London and appoint boundary Commissioners to inquire and report on any possible readjustment?

MR. BIRRELL

I will consider that proposal, but I am very much occupied at the present time.