HC Deb 11 February 1870 vol 199 cc188-9
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTON

, in moving that the Select Committee to inquire into the present modes of conducting Parliamentary and Municipal Elections, in order to provide further guarantees for their tranquillity, purity, and freedom, be re-appointed, said, he would detain the House with the shortest possible statement. Hon. Members were well aware that the Committee was appointed early in the Session of last year. They met about the beginning of April, and continued to sit during the remainder of the Session. They examined a great number of witnesses and collected a great amount of evidence. That evidence was printed, and was before the House; and it contained a large amount of information, which, in his opinion, would be found of considerable use when they came to legislate on the subject. The Committee, thinking that the time occupied in the examination of witnesses had extended so far that it would not be possible for them to devote sufficient time to the preparation of their Report, agreed to a Resolution recommending the early re-appointment of the Committee, with a view not to the examination of additional witnesses, but solely to consider their Report. In pursuance of that Resolution it was now his duty to move the re-appointment of the Committee, and, presuming that their Resolution to examine no more witnesses would be adhered to, no very long time need elapse before the Committee reported to the House, and it would be perfectly possible during the present Session to legislate on the Report. He, therefore, begged leave to move the re-appointment of the Committee.

Motion agreed to. Select Committee appointed, "to inquire into the present modes of conducting Parliamentary and Municipal Elections, in order to provide further guarantees for their tranquillity, purity, and freedom."—(The Marquess of Hartington.) And, on February 15, Committee nominated as follows:—Marquess of HARTINGTON, Mr. GATHORNE HARDY, Mr. BBIGHT, Mr. HUNT, Sir GEORGE GREY, Mr. VILLIERS, Sir FREDERICK HEYGATE, Mr. BRAND, Mr. CROSS, Mr. WHITBREAD, Mr. RAIKES, Mr. LEATHAM, Mr. STAVELEY HILL, Mr. LOCKE, Mr. WILLIAM HENRY SMITH, The O'CONOR DON. Mr. GRAVES, Mr. DALGLISEI, Sir MICHAEL HICKS BRACH, Mr. JAMES, Mr. HOWES, Mr. FAWCETT, and Mr. BOURKE:—Seven to be the quorum.