§ MR. FORDE RIDLEY (Bethnal Green, S.W.)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether it is the 267 intention of the Government to proceed this session with the Bill for removing the necessity for re-election in the case of acceptance of office by Members of the House of Commons.
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am extremely anxious that this change in our constitutional law and practice should be carried out. I have always believed that our present system is cumbrous and wholly inapplicable to modern conditions. If I can, I shall introduce the Bill, and, should it meet with general approval, I see no reason why it should not become law. It will be impossible, I think, to press it on as a controversial measure; but as it concerns the interests of both sides of the House, and cannot come into operation in the course of the present Parliament, and as there are people who think that if its operation is deferred till next Parliament it may be that the other side will get more advantage from it than ourselves, possibly it will be received not unfavourably by those who may be expected most to gain from it.
§ * SIR CHARLES DILKE (Gloucestershire, Forest of Dean)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that on the last occasion a Bill with a similar object was objected to on its introduction and rejected?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am aware of that, and it has always seemed to me an extraordinary instance of Parliamentary short-sightedness.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDCan the Tight hon. Gentleman state for the public convenience when the next Parliament is likely to meet?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs far as I remember, I do not think this Parliament can go on for more than three-and-a-half years.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI am not quite so sure of that.