§ The Attorney-General, in moving for leave to bring in a Bill for the better regulation of the Registration of Voters in England, said, that upon reconsideration of the measure submitted to the House during 155 the past Session, he had judged it proper, with the consent of the House, to introduce a few changes, the tendency of which would, in his judgment, decidedly be to improve the system of registration generally. Instead of having 175 judges, as at present, of the claimant's fitness for the concession of the franchise, he proposed having only eight or ten—an abundantly sufficient number for practical utility. He also purposed introducing a modification into the questions which were put to electors upon going to the poll, respecting the fact of their residence in the premises, out of which they registered during the year preceding. By the existing system, not fewer, perhaps, than 10,000 persons were liable to disfranchisement, in consequence of change of premises, although they had moved to a better house than that which they had occupied at the period of registration, and were subject to the payment of a higher rent. He (the Attorney-General) proposed introducing an alteration, to meet this inconvenience, into the Bill which he should have the honour to submit to the House, and he hoped to be permitted to do so without opposition.
§ Mr. Macleanwished to know in whom was to be vested the appointment of the individuals, who, according to the hon. Gentleman, were to be intrusted with the superintendence of the registries, and the right of deciding upon claims to the franchise?
§ The Attorney-Generalentertained the hope, that in this respect an arrangement every way satisfactory to the House would be entered into. He had been most anxious before the introduction of the Bill of last Session to vest the appointment of the superintendents of the registration in the Speaker; but that right hon. personage disclaimed the exercise of any such power. A difficulty now existed as to whether the right of appointment should be vested in the Secretary of State for the Home Department or in the Lord Chancellor. He would, however, apply his attentive consideration to the fittest arrangement in this matter.
§ Leave granted. Bill brought in and read a first time.