§ MR. BYLESasked the Leader of the House whether he could relieve the uncertainty which was still felt as to whether the borough pollings could take place on Saturday if the Writs were sent out on Monday afternoon and were not received by the returning officer until Tuesday morning.
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYYes, I have made inquiries into the matter, and I am informed that if the Writs are received before 4 p.m. on Tuesday the polls might take place on Saturday, Saturday being in that case the earliest possible day.
§ MR. DALZIELIs it not possible for the Prorogation and the Dissolution to take place on Saturday?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURYI am afraid it would be impossible, or almost impossible, to carry out that plan. It is quite true that two Councils were held in 1892 on the same day, one for the Prorogation and the other for the Dissolution; but on that occasion there was no work to be done in the House of Lords before the Councils met. On this occasion the House of Lords must sit on Saturday, as they will have to pass the Third Reading of 191 various Bills. After that has been done the Royal Assent will have to be given, and it would not be possible to do all that business in the House of Lords and to hold two subsequent Councils on the same day. But the hon. Member will have gathered from my previous answer that this will not affect the pollings taking place on Saturday.