MR. H. BERKELEYsaid, he wished to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether it be his intention to move, in Committee on the Election Law Amendment Bill, a Clause for the disfranchisement of Gloucester for five years, and whether that penal sentence is to date 622 from the last election, or to be prospective?
SIR GEORGE LEWISreplied that if the Bill should come on for discussion in the present Session of Parliament, which, from the late period of the Session, he was afraid was somewhat doubtful, it was his intention, in the event of the House agreeing with the clause in the Bill with respect to the mode of dealing with Boroughs as to which corruption should have been reported by a Commission, to move that that proposition should be extended to the Boroughs of Gloucester and Wakefield. Of course, the time which should have elapsed subsequently to the Report of the Commission, and during which the Writs should have been suspended, would be allowed in computing the period of disfranchisement.
MR. H. BERKELEYsaid, he should withdraw his notice for a new Writ for Gloucester, and would give notice that in the event of the Bill coming before the House he should feel it incumbent on him to move for a new Writ, and in case the Bill should not come on, he should bring the whole case of Gloucester before the House.