§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ MR. VERNON HARCOURT, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, stated that it passed through Committee last year, and was substantially in the form settled by a Select Committee composed of Members of both sides of the House. With regard to the selection of the registration officer, he had accepted the Committee's decision, though it was not what he himself preferred. The object of the Bill was to simplify registration, and he might safely say it had no party purpose whatever. He would conclude by moving the second reading, and should be glad of any Amendments calculated to improve the measure, from whatever part of the House they might come.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. Vernon Harcourt.)
§ MR. WHARTONsaid, he should move that the Bill be read a second time that day six months, on the ground that it contained a clause providing that in boroughs, corporate bodies should have the selection of their own registration officers. That clause he had opposed in Committee last year, and he had seen no alteration now which justified him in discontinuing his opposition.
§ Amendment proposed, to leave out the word "now," and at the end of the Question to add the words "upon this day six months."—(Mr. Wharton.)
§ MR. RAIKESwished to know what view the Government took of the Bill, which dealt with a subject which they might themselves have properly taken up?
MR. BRUCEadmitted that the Government, had they not been sufficiently occupied with other questions, might have taken up this matter. They were glad, however, that it was in such competent hands, and were prepared to assist in its passage, with any Amendments which might be necessary.
§ Question proposed, "That the word 'now' stand part of the Question."
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Main Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill read a second time, and committed for Wednesday 27th March.