56. Mr. F. HALLasked if the provisions of the Plural Voting Bill will apply to Ireland should the Government of Ireland Bill become law, alike to the election of Members to the Irish Parliament as to the Parliament of the United Kingdom; and whether it will be competent for the Irish House of Parliament to alter by legislation the basis of franchise in this respect in the case of either class of Members?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe effect of the Government of Ireland Bill and of the Plural Voting Bill is that the provisions of the latter Bill will apply to the election of Members of the United Kingdom Parliament whether Members elected for Ireland or for any other part of the United Kingdom, and will also apply to the election of Members of the Irish Parliament, if in force when the Government of Ireland Bill becomes law, for a period of three years after the date of the first meeting of the Irish Parliament. After that date the Irish Parliament will have power to alter the law as respects the Irish House of 1626 Commons if they so desire. I would refer the hon. Member to Clause 9 of the Bill.