§ Colonel Burtonasked the Home Secretary whether, with a view to curtailing frivolous candidatures, he will consider introducing legislation to increase the amount to be deposited by a candidate at Parliamentary elections to £500 for the duration of the war?
§ Sir J. AndersonI fully share the view of my hon. Friend that candidates who can only hope for an insignificant number of votes ought not to impose on constituencies the trouble and expense of a contested election at a time when everyone's available time and energy ought to be devoted to other objects. I should hope that realisation of the need for national concentration on the war effort will check such candidatures, but if further measures should be needed, my hon. Friend's suggestion will be borne in mind.