HC Deb 14 April 1910 vol 16 cc1403-4
Mr. FELL (for Mr. H. S. Foster)

asked the Prime Minister whether he is aware of the hardship under which fishermen suffer, amounting to practical disfranchisement, if the polling in any Division takes place at the time when they are at sea in pursuit of their calling; and whether, in order to remove this hardship, the Government will be prepared to support a short non-contentious Bill, for the purpose of enabling fishermen to record their votes between the day of nomination and the day of poll, under suitable arrangements?

The PRIME MINISTER

The Government will carefully consider the matter, but I cannot at present undertake to promise legislation. I believe that my hon. Friend the Member for St. Andrews Burghs has introduced a Bill dealing with the subject, but has not yet been fortunate enough to bring it to Second Reading.