§ MR. WENTWORTH BEAUMONTsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether, having regard to the additional cost of Parliamentary contests arising from the proposed increase of Electors, Government will introduce Clauses in their Reform Bill—1. To render illegal the conveyance of Voters to the Poll at the expense of candidates, and to multiply polling-places; 2. To defray out of local rates certain Election charges connected with Returning Officers, Polling Places, &c., and generally to reduce the costs of contests?
THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, the two propositions which are mentioned by the Question of my hon. Friend are propositions of very considerable 732 importance, with an object which we are very desirous to promote by every means in our power—namely, the cheapening of elections, especially as regards the candidates. They are, therefore, matters which it would certainly be our duty to consider. But we must take the several parts of the subject relating to a reform of the representation of the people in what we think is their natural order; and, undoubtedly, as far as we are able to judge it would be our duty to consider those questions which relate to the boundaries of towns, and especially to the re-distribution of the seats, before we come to the revision of the law connected with the machinery of registration and the expenses of elections.