§ SIR EDWARD BULLERsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, Whether it is intended by the proposed Amendment of Clause 31 of the 267 Representation of the People Bill to give to the Boundary Commissioners unlimited discretion to recommend fresh divisions of Counties, irrespective of the temporary divisions constituted by the Act. The question was much the same as one he put yesterday, but it had now been put in a more definite form, with the view of eliciting a clearer answer than had been given?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERSir, as a clear and definite answer is expected from me it would have been well if the hon. Member had put his question in a clear and definite form. It is intended to give discretion to the Boundary Commissioners, but not unlimited discretion, because that discretion is limited by the language of the clause which we are about to consider. The language of the clause is this—
The Boundary Commissioners shall inquire into the divisions of counties as constituted by this Act, and as to the places appointed for holding Courts for the Election of Members for such divisions, with a view to ascertain whether, having regard to the natural and legal divisions of each County, and the distribution of the population therein, any, and what, alterations should be made in such divisions or places.Those are conditions which make it quite impossible to say that they will have an unlimited discretion, but subject to these conditions they will have unlimited discretion.
§ MR. W. E. FOSTERsaid, he would beg to ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, in reference to the proposed Amendment in Clause 31 of the Representation of the People Bill, Whether, by giving power to the Boundary Commissioners to inquire into and Report on the temporary divisions of Counties as constituted by the Bill, it is intended to give them power to inquire into and report as to whether it is advisable to divide any Counties into two divisions, with three Members each, or into three divisions with two Members each? He put the question because there was some misapprehension as to the power of the Boundary Commissioners.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERI think, Sir, that I gave a plain answer to the inquiry of the hon. Baronet (Sir Edward Buller) as to the discretion of the Boundary Commissioners, and must express my surprise at the question of the hon. Gentleman. They are Boundary Commissioners, and have to deal with boundaries. To suppose for a moment that boundary Commissioners will have to settle the future Representation of the People, 268 is to suppose what I cannot imagine Parliament would sanction. That is the privilege of the Sovereign Legislature of the country, and it cannot for a moment be contemplated that the Boundary Commissioners should exercise any such privilege. Of course, if the Committee sanction the appointment of the Boundary Commissioners, instructions will be addressed to them by the Government as to the fulfilment of their duties; but under no circumstances would such an office devolve upon them as that contemplated by the question of the hon. Member for Bradford.
§ SIR EDWARD BULLERWill the letter of Instructions be laid on the table of the House?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERWe shall follow the precedent of 1832, when, I believe, the letter was laid on the table of the House.