Mr. Bailliewished to ask the right hon. Baronet the Secretary for the Home Department, whether it were the intention of the Government to bring in any bill this Session to amend the law relating to the Registration of Voters in Scotland.
§ Sir James Grahamcould assure his hon. Friend that he was perfectly alive to the 386 necessity of amending the law for the Registration of Voters in Scotland, but having already pledged the Government to bring in measures, during the course of the present Session, to amend the law relating to the Registration of Voters in England and also in Ireland, he could not pledge himself to bring in a bill to amend the law of registration in Scotland during the course of the present Session.
§ Mr. Christieexpressed a hope that the right hon. Baronet would fix the second reading of the English Registration Bill and the County Courts' Bill for such period as would suit the professional arrangements of Members of the House who were connected with the legal profession.
§ Sir J. Grahamsaid, he had a great respect for the gentlemen of the long robe, and was sensible of the value of their assistance, but it was impossible for him to undertake to arrange public business with a view to their convenience. He would give notice of motion, for leave to bring in the English Registration Bill in the course of next week, and before the expiration of a fortnight he would ask for leave to introduce the Local Courts Bill. He could not, however, undertake to fix the second reading of bills of so much importance, with reference to the convenience of gentlemen connected with the legal profession.
§ Mr. M. O'Ferrallasked when the Irish Registration Bill would be brought in?
§ Sir J. Grahamsaid it was not his intention to move for leave to introduce the Irish Registration Bill until the English Registration Bill should pass through all its stages.