§ Mr. SpeakerI have to acquaint the House with the fact that I have received a Certificate and Report from the judges appointed to try the Election Petition 731 for the Kinross and West Perth constituency, which Certificate and Report I now read.
The Certificate reads thus:
Edinburgh, 23rd December, 1964.The Election Court, having taken the evidence in the Trial and having heard Counsel thereon refuses the Prayer of the Petition; dismisses the Petition accordingly, and decerns: Finds and determines that The Right Honourable Sir Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home was duly elected: Further, finds the petitioner liable to the respondent in expenses taxed as between Solicitor and Client and remits the account thereof, when lodged to the Auditor to tax and to report.That Certificate is signed by the two judges of the Election Court.The Report reads thus:
Report by the Election Court in terms of Section 138(1) and Section 140(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1949.Edinburgh, 23rd December, 1964.(1) As required by Section 138(1) of the Representation of the People Act 1949 the Election Court hereby report that no corrupt or illegal practice has been proved to have been committed by or with the knowledge and consent of any candidate at the election.(2) As required by Section 140(1) of the said Act the Election Court hereby report that no persons have been proved at the trial to have been guilty of any corrupt or illegal practice.That Report is signed by the two judges of the Court, J. F. Gordon Thomson and C. J. D. Shaw.Pursuant to Statute, I shall lay upon the Table of the House this Certificate 732 and Report and the shorthand writer's note, and will cause the required entry to be made in the Journal.
§ Mr. ShinwellMr. Speaker—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."] I cannot understand these rude noises from the other side. I desire to ask whether this matter is debatable.
§ Mr. SpeakerWhat follows is automatic under the Statute. I regret that I have to disappoint the right hon. Gentleman.