§ MR. WADDY (Lincolnshire, Brigg)said, he had to complain that the right hon. and learned Gentleman the Home Secretary had answered his Question on the subject of polling places in a somewhat loose fashion; and he would again appeal to the right hon. and learned Gentleman to make inquiry into what was a crying hardship in rural districts, fixtures being made constantly in such a way that men, although by statute required to go only two or three miles to record their votes, were called upon to go four five, six, and even seven miles.
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.), in reply, said, he was not aware in what respect his answer was unsatisfactory to the hon. and learned Gentleman. At any rate, he could give him no other. The only information he had on the subject was that in the county which the hon. and learned Member represented a very large number of rural voters went to the poll, so that the difficulty could not have been very great there. The Statute, as the hon. and learned Gentleman was aware, did not in terms require, but suggested that the Quarter Sessions should provide polling stations, so that no person should be required to walk more than three miles. He had no authority to interfere with the discretion of the 1131 Courts of Quarter Sessions; but he had no doubt that if complaint was made in the proper quarter of a real practical hardship the inconvenience would be remedied at once. As at present advised, it did not seem to him that the Statute itself was unreasonable in its provisions, or called for fresh legislation.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill considered in Committee.
§ (In the Committee.)
§ Clauses 1 and 2 severally agreed to.
§ Clause 3 (Appropriation of sums voted for supply services).
§ MR. SEXTON (Belfast, W., and Sligo, S.)I beg to move, Sir, that you do report Progress.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Sexton.)
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Lord RANDOLPH CHURCHILL) (Paddington, S.)I venture to make some inquiry as to the reasons of this rather unexpected and strange Motion. I cannot account for it in any way. The hon. Member must be aware that any postponement of the stages of the Appropriation Bill now will lead to the greatest possible inconvenience to the House, and to all the authorities, officially and otherwise, connected with Parliament; and I cannot think that it can be the desire of the hon. Member to, unnecessarily, or without any serious cause, inflict that very great and almost immeasurable inconvenience upon the House and the officers of the House. The hon. Member must see that a Motion like that he has proposed cannot be seriously considered by Her Majesty's Government, if he does not condescend to give some kind of reason for it. The Government has been perfectly frank with the House, having stated beforehand their intentions with regard to the course of Public Business. Their declaration of their intention has not hitherto raised a single protest from any hon. Member in any quarter of the House. As to the measure the hon. Member is interested in, he will, doubtless, be inclined to admit that the Government have more than fulfilled the pledges they gave. They have put aside a whole Sitting of the House for the second reading of the 1132 Bill, and have taken precautions that another whole Sitting shall be devoted to the discussion upon it.
§ MR. SEXTONThe noble Lord's explanation has not made it clear how the Business of the House can possibly be disarranged by the adoption of my Motion. I was not aware that two stages of the Appropriation Bill could be taken together to-night—namely, the discussion on the Motion that the Speaker do leave the Chair, and the Committee stage. ["No, no!"] Can two stages be taken tomorrow?
§ MR. SEXTONI am not disposed to persevere with my Motion, if it is made clear to me that we shall be able to bring forward for discussion those points which we are anxious to raise.
§ LORD RANDOLPH CHURCHILLAny points hon. Members wish to direct attention to can be discussed on the third reading. The Government had the idea that hon. Members would avail themselves of the third reading for raising discussions; and, therefore, I have moved the suspension of the Standing Orders for to-morrow's Sitting, in order that the debate may continue after 6 o'clock.
§ MR. SEXTONIn that case I will withdraw my Motion. Will the noble Lord be in a position to-morrow to state definitely whether they intend to allow a grant to the Belfast Royal Hospital; and, if not, whether they intend that the Hospital shall receive the victims of the new rioting in Belfast for nothing?
§ Motion, by leave, withdrawn.
§ Clause agreed to.
§ Remaining Clauses agreed to.
§ Bill reported, without Amendment; to be read the third time To-morrow.