HC Deb 04 February 1915 vol 69 cc173-4W
Mr. BRIDGEMAN

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will state what measures have been taken to ascertain the wishes of the border parishes in regard to the Welsh Church Act; when the matter will be decided; what qualification is required for a vote on the subject; and what steps have been taken to publish the fact that a vote is being taken, and to explain to the voters the point on which the decision is asked?

Mr. McKENNA

I am informed by the Commissioners that on the 22nd and 23rd January voting papers were circulated in the nineteen border parishes. Fourteen days have been allowed by the Commissioners for the return of the voting papers. All persons, married or unmarried, male or female, who are twenty-one or more years of age and have lived in the parishes for the last twelve months, together with all the ratepayers of the parishes, whether resident or not, are allowed to vote. The Commissioners consider that the voting papers, which have been left at every inhabited house in the parishes and sent by post to every non-resident ratepayer, sufficiently publish the fact that the vote is being taken and the matter on which it is being taken.