SIR C. W.DILKE (Gloucester, Forest of Dean)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, with reference to the Return, Parliamentary Electors, No. 129, what is the meaning of the classification, under the heading of "Freemen, &c." of 30 voters in the Metropolitan constituency of Wandsworth; whether "Reform Act, 1867," mentioned in a foot-note on page 8, means the Reform Act of 1832; and whether it is the case that no reduction appears to have been made for duplicate voters, numerous among the ownership electors in counties?
§ THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. H. GLADSTONE,) Leeds, W.As regards the first question, I have asked the Returning Officer for Wandsworth for an explanation of the entry "30 freemen, &c.," made in his portion of the Return. As regards the second, I have to express regret that the clerical error pointed out should have occurred. I find that the date "1867" was substituted for "1832" in transcription for the printers. As regards the third, I cannot say whether or not any reduction has been made for duplicates among ownership voters. Occupation voters starred under Section 7 (5) of the County Electors Act, 1888, have been excluded, and Returning Officers were requested to exclude all other duplicates so far as possible. To do this with absolute accuracy is almost impossible.