§ 47. Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEasked whether the Government will introduce a measure to provide the machinery necessary to enable all officers and men of the Royal Navy and the Royal Marines, whether ashore or afloat, duly qualified to vote, to exercise their franchise at the next Parliamentary election unless serving in far-off seas?
§ Earl WINTERTONOrder yourselves. We are not to have any more supplementaires.
§ Earl WINTERTONOrder yourselves.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must ask the Noble Lord not to attempt to keep order. That responsibility, I am sorry to say, is placed upon me. I do the best I can, and if I should require the Noble Lord's services I will invite him.
§ Earl WINTERTONI am bound to say, in justice to myself, I was rising to ask what I thought was a perfectly consequential question. I was not aware there was any order preventing me from doing so. Seven hon. Members opposite, for no reason, shouted loudly "Order" before you had said anything.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI had already called on Sir Clement Kinloch-Cooke, and he had risen to put his question.
§ Earl WINTERTONThe only reason why I replied to hon. Gentlemen opposite was that I imagined you kept order, and not they.
§ The PRIME MINISTERI understand that it is the existing practice of the Admiralty, so far as the exigencies of the 1094 naval Service permit, to give facilities to the officers and men referred to to exercise their franchise, and I may add that of the men of the mercantile marine. The case of absent voters, with which this matter is closely connected, involves some obvious hardships, for which, as I have recently stated, it is not easy to devise appropriate remedies, but the question is receiving careful consideration.
§ Mr. WALTER LONGWill the Government include fishermen?
§ The PRIME MINISTERwas understood to indicate assent.
§ Mr. LEEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware there is a Bill dealing with this question before the House?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI will look into it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEIf I were to bring to the notice of the right hon. Gentleman a possibility by which the question could be answered in the affirmative, will he consider it?
§ The PRIME MINISTERI shall be most grateful.