22. Mr. PERCY HARRISasked the President of the Local Government Board whether a person will lose the qualification for being elected a councillor or alderman of a county council or borough council which is conferred by the County and Borough Councils (Qualification) Act, 1914, by reason only of his absence on naval or military duties during the qualifying period; and, if so, whether he will introduce legislation to prevent such loss of qualification?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)The qualification for being elected a councillor or alderman of a county or borough council, which was provided by the Act of last Session, is an alternative qualification intended mainly to meet the case of women candidates. The case of a man absent on naval or military service who desired to become a councillor or alderman and who did not possess the ordinary burgess qualification would, I imagine, be a very rare one, and, as at present advised, my right hon. Friend hardly thinks it necessary to introduce legislation on the subject.