HC Deb 09 July 1861 vol 164 cc630-1

Order for Committee read.

House in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 23 (Time of holding the Registration Courts),

MR. BLACKBURN

suggested that as the list of claims would be made up to and published on the 14th October, no list should be revised earlier than the 15th October, but after some discussion the clause was, without Amendment, agreed to.

Clause agreed to, as were also Clauses 24 to 32 inclusive.

Clause 33 (Register, signed by Sheriff Clerk, to be the Register of Voters),

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

moved an addition to the clause, to the effect that no person whose name should appear on the register of any county should be entitled to vote in the election of Member if he should have become divested of and ceased to hold that qualification in respect of which he was registered.

THE LORD ADVOCATE

objected to the proviso, believing that it would be wholly unnecessary. The person whose name would be on the roll would vote in respect of the rates which he would have to pay.

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

submitted that the voter ought to be entitled to the franchise in respect of the possession, and not because he paid rates and taxes.

SIR EDWARD COLEBROOKE

said, the principle of this Bill had been force in Scotland for several years in boroughs, and he saw no reason why it should not be applied to the counties.

Clauses agreed to, as were also Clauses 34 to 41, inclusive.

Clause 42 (Expenses of Annual Registrations, how to be defrayed),

SIR JAMES FERGUSSON

moved the omission of the clause.

Motion made, and Question put, "That Clause 42 stand part of the Bill."

The Committee divided:—Ayes 52; Noes 16: Majority 36.

House resumed.

Bill reported; as amended, to be considered on Thursday.