§ Viscount WOLMERasked the Attorney-General whether he will explain the term prospective candidate, used in Clause 3, Sub-section (2) (a), of the Trade Unions (No. 2) Bill?
§ The ATTORNEY-GENERAL (Sir Rufus Isaacs)The term "prospective candidate" is used to meet the case of the person who is presented or presents himself to the constituency before a vacancy has occurred or dissolution has been announced as the person who will contest the constituency at the next election, or who may not have been adopted by formal resolution as the candidate for the seat at 1225 the next ensuing election, but who is, nevertheless, conducting a campaign with the intention of presenting himself as the candidate as soon as the opportunity arises. I must not be understood as stating that such a person would not be a candidate in the strict sense of the term.
§ Mr. SUTTONWould that definition cover the candidate introduced by his father?
§ Viscount HELMSLEYDo I understand the hon. and learned Gentleman that a prospective candidate would not come under the Corrupt Practices Act?
§ Sir RUFUS ISAACSOn the contrary, I do not assent, and must not be understood to assent that he would not be a candidate in the strict sense of the term. The term "prospective candidate" is well known.
Mr. KINGIs not the expression "prospective candidate" now used for the first time in a Bill or Act of Parliament, and, if so, does it not mean some special definition?