HC Deb 18 June 1894 vol 25 cc1430-2

Bill considered in Committee.

(In the Committee.)

Clause 1.

MR. BROMLEY-DAVENPORT (Cheshire, Macclesfield)

said, that when this Bill was introduced it was about as bad a measure as ever came before Parliament. The first clause was particularly unworkable, and he was not satisfied that it was at all workable now. He should be inclined to say that it would greatly retard instead of accelerate registration, especially that portion of it which provided that Revising Barristers should complete the lists for one polling district before holding a Court for revising the lists in another district. Sub-section 4 appeared to be new, and he should like to hear why it was introduced.

*THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. SHAW-LEFEVRE,) Bradford, Central

Sub-section 3 was very carefully considered by the Committee, and unanimously agreed to. With regard to Sub-section 4, I think it is only in accordance with the law as it now is.

MR. RANKIN (Herefordshire, Leominster)

asked whether there would be any objection to inserting the words "as far as practicable" in Sub-section 3, as there would, he thought, be great difficulty in carrying out the provision as it stood.

Amendment proposed, in page 2, line 4, after the word "shall," to insert the words "as far as possible."—(Mr. Rankin.)

Question proposed, "That those words be there inserted."

MR. BARTLEY

remarked that when the Bill was introduced it was so badly drafted that it was acknowledged on all sides that it could not possibly work. It was sent to a Grand Committee and then to a Select Committee, and now when it came back an obvious Amendment was to be put into the first clause. He did not think this was the way in which Bills ought to be dealt with. If such alterations were wanted the Bill ought to be sent back to the Committee.

MR. SHAW-LEFEVRE

I do not admit that the Bill was originally badly drawn, very few Amendments were inserted in Committee, although the Bill was very carefully considered by a very strong Select Committee. It was not considered absolutely necessary to insert the words now proposed, but the Committee did not see any objection to them, and as they have been moved I do not raise any objection.

MR. TOMLINSON

asked whether steps had been taken to ascertain the opinion of Revising Barristers as to the working of the clause?

MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)

asked whether this was a Bill which should be proceeded with after midnight? What right had the Government to foist their Bills upon the House at that late hour, when they had taken all the time of private Members.

MR. W. JOHNSTON (Belfast, S.)

I move, Sir, to report Progress.

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

MR. SHAW-LEFEVRE

May I make an appeal to the House? This is not a contentious Bill at all. It has been referred to a Select Committee, and not one single Amendment has been made on points of principle. The Committee was unanimous on every point. It is very important that the Bill should pass without delay, because Local Authorities want to know what the law will be on the subject before they take any preliminary proceedings with regard to registration. As to the Revising Barristers, I can only say that we have received a communication from the Association representing the Revising Barristers, making two suggestions with regard to the Bill, and both these suggestions have been adopted. The main alteration made by the Committee was the extension of the period for registration by three days.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

I am sorry, Mr. Mellor, that I must insist upon my Motion.

MR. BYLES (York, W.R., Shipley)

May I point out to the hon. Member that the Bill does not apply to the country from which he comes?

MR. W. JOHNSTON

Are we not, then, to take part in English measures, Sir?

COMMANDER BETHELL (York, E.R., Holderness)

May I suggest that if my hon. Friend can see his way to let the Bill go on, it will be very convenient in the country districts?

MR. CONYBEARE (Cornwall, Camborne)

The hon. Member's question just now was whether Irish Members were not to be allowed to take part in English measures. May I point out that it is a question, not of his taking part, but of his obstructing such measures.

MR. W. JOHNSTON

After all this, Mr. Mellor, I am sorry that I cannot agree to let the Bill go on.

Question put, and agreed to.

Committee report Progress; to sit again To-morrow.