HC Deb 16 February 1841 vol 56 cc703-4
The Lord Advocate

moved for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Registration of Voters in Scotland. He proposed to establish one appeal court for registrations for the whole of Scotland. It was to consist of barristers of seven years standing, to be named by the Speaker, and to sit in Edinburgh. He proposed to give no appeal on matters of fact to this court, but only on questions of law. The bill also contained clauses relative to costs in cases of appeal. He proposed that when the right of a voter had once been established, he should not be removeable from the register except for matters occurring subsequently to the registry. In cases where the value of premises giving a title to vote had been established, he proposed that no proof of subsequent alterations of value should disfranchise the party so long as he retained possession of the premises or property which gave the right. An annual revision, which would compel a voter to establish his claim afresh every year, seemed to him a thing so monstrous, so really an instrument for vexation and oppression that he could not think of adopting it. Lastly, he proposed to introduce clauses defining fictitious votes, and if there was any sincerity in the declaration which had so often been made against fictitious votes, he was sure that those who made them would agree with him as to the necessity of some such definition to prevent the present frauds and abuses. The hon. and learned Gentleman concluded by making his motion.

Mr. Shaw

objected to the intended court of appeal, as being likely to be unsatisfactory, if no matter could be inquired into before that tribunal, which had transpired or taken place before the claimant of the suffrage had been placed upon the registry.

Mr. G. Hope

would be glad to concur in any measure which would put an end to the existing evils of the system of fictitious voting.

Mr. F. Maule

said, it was notorious that the Reform Bill of Scotland required some such bill as this to remedy the practice of taking vexatious objections to persons who had been for years undisturbed on the roll, in the hope of removing them, in their absence and without being able often to obtain a hearing in defence of their franchise.

Leave given.—Adjourned.