§ 54. Major NEWMANasked the Prime Minister whether he has been able to study a system of voting at elections 1600 known in the oversea Dominions as the preferential vote and on the Continent as the second ballot, and which the Government have inserted in the Representation of the People Bill as the alternative vote; and is it intended to follow the course adopted in the case of the transferable vote and allow the House to decide by a free vote for or against this system of election?
§ Sir G. CAVEMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. The proposal for an alternative vote in single-member constituencies was recommended by a majority only of the Speaker's Conference, and the Government propose to leave this question for the free decision of the House.
§ Sir J. D. REESMay I ask if the vote taken the other day has not finished all these fads once and for all?