§ GENERAL LAURIE (Pembroke and Haverfordwest)I beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will take into consideration the desirability of extending the provisions of the Bill of which he has given notice, Electoral Disabilities (Military Service), so as to include members of the Army and Navy as well as those of the other Forces named in the notice who may be absent on the Military service of the Crown.
§ * THE SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir M. WHITE RIDLEY,) Lancashire, BlackpoolI have not overlooked the point raised by my hon. and gallant friend; but I do not think that it comes properly within the scope of the Bill, which is not one for the extension of the franchise but is intended to deal with the consequences of an unusual state of war, and not with those of ordinary military or naval service.
§ GENERAL LAURIEWould not the military and naval Members of the House who have gone to South Africa be entitled to exercise the franchise if still at home?
§ * SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYYes; but there is a considerable difference between those serving the country by being called to India or other parts of the Empire in ordinary circumstances, and those who, as on the present occasion, have volunteered for foreign service.
* MR. GIBSON BOWLESAre not the special circumstances of this case equally applicable to the Army and Navy as to these other forces?
§ * SIR M. WHITE RIDLEYWe had better discuss these questions when the Bill is introduced. All I wish to point out is that this Bill is not intended to be an extension of the franchise; it is to meet a special case.