HC Deb 12 June 1839 vol 48 cc162-3

On the order of the day being read for going into Committee on this bill,

Sir A. Dalrymple

desired to know if this Bill had the sanction of her Majesty's Government? and said, that his reason for asking the question was, that there were two principles in the Bill which were in direct opposition to the Reform Bill. The first principle was, that it legalised outvoters, which the Reform Bill intended to destroy; and the second principle was, that it gave to an individual the power of retaining his vote fifteen months after he had forfeited it by removal, namely, from the 1st of August to the November twelvemonth following.

The Chancellor of the Exchequer

said, that the present bill did meet with the cordial sanction and hearty concurrence of her Majesty's Government in the general principles which it asserted, because it went to put an end to the many complicated and vexatious questions which arose so often at the hustings, and before committees of the House on the trial of election petitions. He did not see that the bill would at all have the bad effects which the hon. Baronet dreaded; but, on the contrary, he thought it would give increased effect to the Reform Bill.

The Attorney-General

said, that, as this Bill embraced objects for which he had, for the last five years contended, he rejoiced to see it brought in, and hoped it would not meet with opposition in either House of Parliament.

Sir F. Pollock

regretted the bill did not meet all objections, and equally regretted it did not apply to freeholders in counties as well as to borough voters. He did not object, however, to the principle of the measure.

The Solicitor-General

said, that he did not care whether the provisions of this bill were extended to county voters or not, but he had always understood that the practical evils complained of as to voting were confined to the 10l. householders.

Mr. V. Smith

said, the hon. Member for Ipswich had not embraced within its provisions the seot and lot voters, and hoped he would extend them to that class.

Mr. Gibson

said, he had put the Bill into the best form he could.

House went into Committee.

The bill passed through a Committee, and the House resumed.

Forward to