§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that at the recent revision of the Parliamentary registers a large number of persons have been struck off the list of voters in consequence of the rates for which they have compounded in their rents not having been paid by their landlords; and, if so, whether he is now prepared to introduce legislation to remedy the present state of the law in this respect?
§ The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Burns)I have no general information in regard to this matter, but may I refer my hon. Friend to Section 8 of the Poor Rate Assessment and Collection Act, 1869, under which occupiers may pay rates in default of owners and deduct the sums so paid from the next payment of rent.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYDoes not the right hon. Gentleman know that under that Section a tenement occupier paying 3s. or 4s. a week might have to pay £100 arrears of rates before he could get his vote?
§ Mr. BURNSIn a few cases that might be so, but this and other electoral disabilities are under the purview of the Government at the present time.