§ 60. Mr. KINGasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the eldest sons of Scottish peers now have the right to be on the Parliamentary register in virtue of being heirs to Scottish peerages; and whether the Representation of the People Bill will be so amended as to exclude this privilege of peers' sons?
§ Mr. S. MacNEILLMay I ask whether it is not a fact that since 1832 the eldest sons of Scottish peers have been allowed the franchise by the Scottish Reform Bill, notwithstanding the unfortunate accident of their birth?
§ The SECRETARY for SCOTLAND (Mr. Munro)The answer to the hon. Gentleman is in the affirmative. The answer to the question on the Paper is as follows: My hon. and learned Friend doubtless has in view the provisions of Section 37 of the Representation of the People (Scotland) 1614 Act, 1832. I think, however, he will find, if he pursues his investigations, that the Section in question was passed to remove a doubt which existed whether the eldest son of a Scottish peer, who was otherwise qualified, could be registered and could vote in a Parliamentary election, and has never been construed in the sense contained in his question. The second part of the question does not, therefore, arise.