MR. BUXTONasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether he would grant to the House a Return of the different qualifications required for the Parliamentary Franchise at present in force in Foreign Countries, and of the proportion borne by the number of the electorate to the population in such countries?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, some information on the point to which my hon. Friend refers is contained in the "Reports on the Practice in certain European Countries in Election Contests," which were laid before Parliament in 1881 and 1882 (C. 2,987, 3,061, 3,159). As, however, it maybe desirable that the House should possess the information in a more convenient form, there will be no objection on the part of the Foreign Office to instruct Her Majesty's Representatives abroad to forward special Reports upon the subject.
§ MR. BRODRICKasked, whether the noble Lord would also cause Reports to be made of the duration of Parliaments and of the changes of Governments in foreign countries?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, that involves a further Question of which I should be glad to have Notice.
§ MR. BRODRICKgave Notice, that he would move for a Return giving the desired information.