§ SIR J. LUBBOCK (London University)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what will be the additional expense of making a second Register in each year, and of holding the elections on one day?
MR. J. MORLEY(who replied) said: It is very difficult to form an accurate opinion as to the additional cost of double registration, necessitating double printing of the Register. The additional cost of holding the elections on one day will probably be that of a few extra ballot 47 boxes. But the matter may be discussed in Committee.
§ LORD R. CHURCHILL (Paddington, S.)On whom will the cost of the double registration fall—on the candidates or on the public?
§ LORD R. CHURCHILLOn the candidate?
§ * SIR J. LUBBOCKThe right hon. Gentleman has not given any answer whatever to my question. Do I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that the holding of the elections on one day will be only a question of a few more ballot-boxes, and that the question of a second registration is merely one of printing?
MR. J. MORLEYI said that the main element of the cost in registration now is that of double printing—the Overseers' List and afterwards the Register; a change, however, may be made in that. That, however, is one of the reasons why it is impossible to form an accurate estimate of printing. As to the cost of polling on one day, I do not see what extra cost will be involved, except for the provision of a few extra ballot-boxes.
§ * SIR J. LUBBOCKDoes the expense of printing exceed the cost of revision? Before we discuss the question we ought to know what will be the cost.
MR. J. MORLEYIf the right hon. Gentleman will refer to the provisions of the Bill he will be able to satisfy himself.
§ MR. DARLINGIs it contemplated that Revising Barristers are to be employed twice and to be remunerated only once?
§ [No answer was given.]
§ * SIR J. LUBBOCKI will put the questions down again a few days hence, when I hope my right hon. Friend will be able to give some answer.