HC Deb 19 June 1891 vol 354 cc981-2

Considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1.

Amendment again proposed, in page 1, line 5, to leave out the words "The eighth day of March shall be."(—Mr. Heneage.)

Question proposed, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the Clause."

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

I beg to move to report Progress. I am sure the right hon. Gentleman the President of the Local Government Board would hardly expect the House to proceed with the discussion of the important Amendments to this clause at this hour.

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Chairman do report Progress, and ask leave to sit again."—(Mr. Causton.)

*THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. RITCHIE,) Tower Hamlets, St. George's

The Amendment now before the House is one merely to omit certain words, leaving it open to the Committee to allow the dates of elections to shift according to the views of County Councils. It would enable the County Council to fix a date within a certain period. Surely the Amendment will meet with universal acceptance. If it is carried I will agree to at once report Progress.

(11.46.) MR. STOREY (Sunderland)

I cannot think the right hon. Gentleman has fairly stated to the House the question embodied in the proposal. The Amendment is that the eighth day of March be struck out.

THE CHAIRMAN

Order, order! The hon. Member has got hold of the wrong Amendment.

MR. STOREY

Notwithstanding that, I very much object to any change which will permit the elections to be held in March. Does the right hon. Gentleman say that the Amendment, if carried' will enable the elections to be held in November, December, January, or February.

*MR. RITCHIE

Certainly.

MR. STOREY

Then I say it would be an exceedingly absurd arangement to allow the election in one county to take place in November and in another place in February. Constituencies in the North of England strongly object to the selection of March for the elections.

THE CHAIRMAN

Order, order! The hon. Member is not discussing the Motion to report Progress.

*(11.48.) MR. RITCHIE

May I explain that the cutting out of these words leaves it open to any hon. Member to propose any month he likes for holding the election.

MR. STOREY

And if these words are omitted, will the right hon. Gentleman consent to at once report Progress?

*MR. RITCHIE

Certainly.

MR. STOREY

Very well, I shall be glad for once to support him.

THE CHAIRMAN

Does the hon. Member for Southwark withdraw his motion to report Progress?

MR. CAUSTON

No; I cannot do that. The right hon. Gentleman's own words show that what he proposes is hardly worth doing now.

MR. HENEAGE (Great Grimsby)

May I point out that the omission of these words will not prevent the discussion of any Amendment hon. Members choose to propose. It will be perfectly open to them to propose January or any other month for the election. These words must be omitted before we can deal further with the clause.

*(11.50.) SIR J. LUBBOCK (London University)

I would also appeal to my hon. Friend the Member for Southwark to accept the suggestion of the Government, which at this hour of the evening seems quite reasonable.

MR. CAUSTON

I really cannot withdraw my Motion to report Progress. If it is such a small matter to omit these words it can be done without difficulty the next time the Bill comes on.

Question put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again upon Monday next.