HC Deb 20 May 1885 vol 298 cc970-1

Lords Amendments considered.

THE LORD ADVOCATE (Mr. J. B BALFOUR)

moved to agree with th Amendment which deleted Clause 1 from the Bill. The clause which it was thus proposed to leave out was, he explained, directed to introduce an Amendment universally admitted to be a useful one. It had relation to the Valuation Acts in Scotland, which, by the Franchise Act of 1884, were interpreted to be Registration Acts. But the criticism had been made in the House of Lords that this particular Amendment had not direct relation to the subject of registration, and that was true. It was pointed out that some persons interested in the clause might not expect to find it in this Bill; and while he could not but regret that they had not an opportunity of making this Amendment, he felt the force of the criticism that it had not direct relation to the registration of voters, although technically within the meaning of the Registration Acts. He therefore proposed that the Lords Amendment be agreed to.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."—(The Lord Advocate.)

SIR EDWARD COLEBROOKE

said, he very much regretted that the other House should have thought it nécessary to strike out the clause, which he thought would have been of great convenience in the administration of the law; and he trusted his right hon. and learned Friend the Lord Advocate would take another opportunity of introducing the clause, either as a separate measure, or in any other Bill in which he could properly do so.

Question put, and agreed to.

SIR R. ASSHETON CROSS

asked whether the Government would cause the Franchise, Redistribution, and Registration Bills to be circulated as soon as the Royal Assent should have been obtained? Acts of Parliament passed in a Session were not usually circulated until after the Session, when they appeared bound altogether in one volume. He thought it would be more convenient if the circulation could be expedited in the case of this Reform legislation.

SIR CHARLES W. DILKE

said, he agreed that the course proposed by the right hon. Gentleman would be a desirable one to follow, and he undertook to communicate with the Speaker with reference to the subject.