§ MR. ALDERMAN COTTONasked Mr. Attorney General, re Parliamentary Elections (Redistribution) Bill, Whether a voter who is upon the register, and receives medical relief, is to be disqualified for one year, for the remainder of the Session of the then Parliament, or for life?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)The hon. Gentleman appears to be under some misapprehension in this matter. The Redistribution Bill does not touch this question of medical relief at all, nor does any Bill of the Government do so either. The last Statute with respect to it was passed in 1878; and under it, if any person receives medical relief within 12 months before the 15th of July, he is incapable of being included in the Register that will come in force in the next year. Therefore the disqualification is for one year.
§ MR. ALDERMAN COTTONBut if he be upon the Register and receives medical relief, will it affect his right to vote?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir HENRY JAMES)The hon. Gentleman has got hold of a moot point, which has given the Judges some trouble. It comes within what is known as the Petersfield case. The Ballot Act says that the Register shall be conclusive; but the question is whether it is a disqualification or a prohibition to vote, and there is great doubt upon the subject. My own opinion is that it is a disqualification merely, and that the voter would be entitled to vote; but I do not give that opinion with any confidence.