§ Lord CHARLES BERESFORDasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Norwich was created a city when the population was 160,000 and Cardiff was created a city when the population was 166,000; whether he is aware that Portsmouth has a population of 234,000 and is now increasing at the rate of 5,000 a year; whether he is aware that small towns were distinguished by the mayors receiving an honour, and that Portsmouth received no such attention; whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction and disappointment at the position in which Portsmouth has been placed; whether ho is aware that Portsmouth is the first naval port of the Empire; and whether he can see his way to reconsider his recent decision in regard to Portsmouth not being created a city?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer given to a question on this subject on the 20th June last. Norwich has for many centuries been a city; and the circumstances in the case of Cardiff were exceptional. I regret that I cannot treat Portsmouth differently from other towns of larger population.
§ Mr. LEEIs there any reason why the right hon. Gentleman should discriminate against a town like Portsmouth, which is of such great historic importance and has this large population?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLI am not discriminating against a town like Portsmouth at 1573 all. On the contrary, I am only following out the rule which has been hitherto observed.
§ Mr. JOHN WARDWhile the right hon. Gentleman is considering Portsmouth, I hope that he will not forget Stoke-on-Trent.