HC Deb 22 February 1850 vol 108 cc1317-8

Order for Second Reading read.

SIR W. SOMERVILLE

moved the Second Reading of the above Bill.

MR. REYNOLDS

suggested the propriety of reconsidering those clauses of the Bill which had reference to the establishment of polling places, in order to consider whether a reduction of expense might not be made, by allotting a larger number than 300 voters to each polling place. The proposal, also, to establish separate polling places for freemen, would, in his opinion, prove a source of considerable expense in large towns. In Dublin the expense under this head would not be less than 1,200l.

MR. M. J. O'CONNELL

thought that an improvement might be made in the Bill, by the adoption of a system of parochial classification of electors, in preference to the old baronial plan.

SIR W. SOMERVILLE

said, that with respect to the expense of polling places, he should be perfectly prepared to consider any plan calculated to reduce the expenses attendant upon them. With respect to the baronial classification, it was a matter of extreme difficulty, but he had endeavoured to meet some of the objections previously urged against it, as far as he could.

Bill read 2o, and committed for Monday next.