HC Deb 11 July 1872 vol 212 cc950-1
MR. ASSHETON CROSS

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether it is the intention of the Government this Session to press on the "Corrupt Practices" Bill, as being an essential part of Parliamentary Election Reform; and, whether they will give any assistance in passing the "Corrupt Practices at Municipal Elections" Bill?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, that in speaking of the Corrupt Practices Bill, he was afraid he must draw a distinction between the Bill as it stood and the Amendments which it was proposed to make in it. So far as the Bill was concerned, the Government considered themselves responsible for giving the House an opportunity of considering it, and they would, therefore, propose that the Speaker should leave the Chair in order that the House might go into Committee on the Bill. They would not however be able to make that proposal until the House had got through the Committee on the Intoxicating Liquor Licensing Bill. When the Committee on the Corrupt Practices Bill came on, the Government would be able to learn the views of the House with respect to the Amendments which it was proposed to make in it, and it would be for the House to judge when that stage was reached whether it was desirable to prosecute the Bill with the Amendments. The Government would not endeavour to impose their own will on the House in the matter; but they would endeavour to gather the opinion of the House, and would be guided by it. It was, he thought, quite possible that at that period of the Session the House might be doubtful as to the desirability of prolonging its labours for the purpose of going through the Amendments. They would not, however, prevent the House from making that sacrifice if it were so disposed. In reply to the second Question, he had to state that he hoped his hon. and learned Friend the Member for Taunton (Mr. James) would not require a great deal of assistance from the Government. The Bill stood for that evening, and he hoped progress would be made with it, for he should be sorry to see the Bill fall through.