§ Maximum for Miscellaneous Matters.
§ On the Motion of The ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir Henry James), Amendment made, in page 44, line 10, after "in," by inserting "Part I. and."
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir FARRER HERSCHELL)said, he would now propose to leave out after the word "Schedule," in line 10, the words—
Not exceeding the maximum amount of ten pounds for every one thousand electors in the county or borough, and not exceeding in the whole the maximum amount of one hundred pounds.This would leave out all reference to amount; but, of course, the maximum 1426 of election expenses would remain the same. There might be matters, not specified in Part II, on which it might be necessary for the candidate to spend more than was allowed by the present maximum in Part III. relating to miscellaneous expenses. By the adoption of this Amendment the general maximum would remain unaltered, and the candidate would be able to spend a little more under Part III., and a little less under Part II.
§ Amendment proposed, in page 44, line 10, leave out all the words after the word "Schedule," down to "pounds," inclusive, in line 13.—(Mr. Solicitor General.)
§ Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Schedule."
§ MR. RAIKESsaid, he desired that words would not be put into the clause which would have the effect of preventing him from moving to alter £100 to £200. The Chairman could easily put the Question so as to leave him an opportunity of bringing forward his proposal—by putting the Question that the words down to the word "borough" stand part of the Bill, for instance.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)agreed with the right hon. Gentleman (Mr. Raikes) that the question could be so modified so as not to interfere with his Motion.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Amendment proposed, in page 44, line 10, leave out all the words after the word "Schedule," down to the word "of," in line 13."—(Mr. Solicitor General.)
§ Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Schedule."
§ SIR R. ASSHETON CROSSasked whether the hon. and learned Gentleman was sure it would be quite safe to adopt his Amendment? If they left out all limit they did a great deal towards putting an end to the effect of Part I. of the Schedule. [The SOLICITOR GENERAL: No, no!] It was only right that there should be some limit to expenditure in this matter. They might fairly leave out the words "not exceeding the maximum amount of ten pounds for every one thousand electors in the 1427 county or borough," and insert "two hundred pounds," in place of "one hundred pounds," in the lines following. It seemed to him that, for the sake of the candidates themselves, it was necessary to have a limit.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)said, if they stopped at the word "borough," and someone moved to substitute £200 for £100, they could take a Division, and a saving of time would be effected. The matter had been sufficiently discussed.
§ Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.
§ On the Motion of The SOLICITOR GENERAL (Sir Farrer Herschell), Amendment made, in page 44, line 10, by leaving out all the words after the word "Schedule" down to the word "not," in line 12.
§ On the Motion of Sir R. ASSHETON CROSS, Amendment made, in page 44, line 13, by leaving out the word "one" and inserting the word "two."