HC Deb 11 June 1917 vol 94 cc597-9
38. Mr. R. MCNEILL

asked the Home Secretary if his attention has been called to the fact that more than forty hon. Members of the House have given notice of Amendments to the Motion standing in his name, Representation of the People Bill (Boundary Commissioners), and that these Amendments raise not less than twelve important points of principle touching the redistribution of seats; whether under such circumstances a single day's discussion on a Motion approving in general terms the Instruction to the Boundary Commissioners will afford opportunity for such control as the House is entitled to exercise over the details as well as the principles of the proposed scheme of redistribution; and whether, in order to provide such opportunity he will now amend his Motion by embodying in it the text of the Instructions, and move that the House do resolve itself into Committee to consider the same?

Sir G. CAVE

The Amendments on the Paper appear to me to raise very few questions of principle, and I am hopeful that the discussion upon these questions will not be unduly prolonged. The course suggested by my hon. Freind would go beyond the purpose for which the Motion was placed upon the Paper and would not, I think, be for the general convenience of the House.

Mr. McNEILL

As my right hon. Friend is not willing to give the House an opportunity for discussing details, can he give an assurance that when the Schedules come to be discussed no Amendment will be opposed by the Government on the ground that the work of the Commissioners is completed?

Sir G. CAVE

My hon. Friend will know the value of an argument of that kind.

42. Mr. D. WHITE

asked the Secretary for Scotland which of the present districts of burghs in Scotland will cease to have separate representation and which will continue to have separate representation if effect is given to paragraphs 2, 3, and 4, of the Instructions to the Boundary Commissioners for Scotland?

43. Sir J. JARDINE

asked for particulars of any forecast made by the Boundary Commissioners for Scotland regarding any changes suggested in Parliamentary constituencies?

The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)

I am not in a position to anticipate the scheme of redistribution which is being prepared by the Boundary Commissioners for Scotland. My hon. and learned Friend the Member for the Tradeston Division of Glasgow will bear in mind that there are other paragraphs, in the Instructions which give the Commissioners a wide discretion in settling burghal representation.

Mr. GULLAND

Does the right hon. Gentleman anticipate that the Report of the Boundary Commissioners will be published, as in England, county by county, or for Scotland as a whole?

Sir J. AINSWORTH

As the subject is of considerable importance, will my right hon. Friend be prepared to meet the Scottish Members so as to discuss the whole question?

Mr. MUNRO

I think a very full opportunity for discussing the subject will arise this afternoon. If after that discussion my hon. Friend makes his request, I shall be happy to consider it.

47. Sir JOHN SPEAR

asked the Prime Minister if he is aware that under the Representation of the People Bill, if the redistribution of constituencies is based on population only, many of the rural districts will be so large that it will be impossible for a Member to keep sufficiently in touch with the views of his constituents to be able efficiently to present them to Parliament, and the rights of the rural classes be thereby menaced; and will he instruct the Boundary Commissioners to have regard to area as well as population in fixing the boundaries so as to lessen the danger?

Sir G. CAVE

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. An opportunity for debating this matter will no doubt arise to-day.