HC Deb 08 April 1891 vol 352 cc118-9

As amended, considered.

Motion made, and Question proposed, " That the Bill be now read the third time."

(5.34.) MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

I do not intend to oppose this Motion. I only wish to explain that, in consequence of representations made to me by the hon. and learned Attorney General, I have not pressed the Amendments of which I had given notice, on the understanding that the objects aimed at are already secured in the Bill.

(5.35.) MR. CAUSTON (Southwark, W.)

Although I have opposed the Bill in its several stages, I shall not vote against the Third Reading, for I have no desire to hinder the removal of electoral disabilities. What I do charge the Government with is that in introducing this Bill with a high-sounding title they have brought forward a measure without any real backbone to it. They have only removed the disabilities of soldiers, sailors, and policemen, and they have declined to remove those to which the working classes of the country are subjected; indeed, the Bill was so carefully drawn as to preclude all opportunity of securing an amendment in that direction. The Chancellor of the Exchequer said he would have no tinkering with the Registration Laws. Well, I [assert that this is a tinkering, feeble Bill.

(5.37.) THE ATTORNEY GENERAL (Sir R. WEBSTER, Isle of Wight)

I only wish to say, in reply to the hon. Mem- ber for Camborne, that the view he has expressed—that the object of his Amendment is secured in the Bill—is correct.

(5.38.) MR. T. ROBINSON (Gloucester)

I wish to express my regret that the Attorney General would not afford me an opportunity of proposing an Amendment dealing with disqualifications arising out of recent decisions of certain Revising Barristers. It is a pity the Bill was so drawn as to prevent that point being raised.

SIR R. WEBSTER

The Bill was drawn long before those decisions were given.

MR. T. ROBINSON

No doubt; but surely it would have been possible to deal with this matter.

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill read the third time, and passed.