§ 21. Mr. BURDETT-COUTTSasked the Home Secretary whether, in view of his undertaking, given to this House in presenting the Lords Amendment, that proportional representation would not be imposed on constituencies without their assent, he will state whether any Instructions will be given as to the means the Commission should adopt to obtain such assent; whether it is proposed to submit the question to the electors; and, if so, what machinery will be set up for that purpose?
§ 22. Sir JAMES BOYTONasked the Home Secretary whether, whenever it is proposed to combine constituencies now having separate representation under the Act for the purposes of proportional representation, the objection of any one such constituency will render the proposed combination inadmissible?
§ 24. Mr. GILBERTasked the Home Secretary whether he will state in what manner the Proportional Representation Commissioners will hold their inquiries in London, and also what class of evidence will be heard by them, and will the invitation be by public advertisement, or in what other way; and will he undertake 1243 that, in any inquiry held in London, political associations of all parties, local municipal authorities, public men, and individual voters shall be heard on any schemes proposed?
§ Sir G. CAVENo such undertaking was given as is mentioned in the question, but I am confident that the Commissioners will take all such steps as may be required for ascertaining local opinion. It will be for them to determine the local inquiries to be held, the persons to be heard at the inquiries, and the effect to be given to the representations made. I have no authority to give instructions in the matter.
§ Mr. BURDETT-COUTTSDid not the right hon. Gentleman, in urging the Lords Amendment upon this House, say, "Objection was taken in the House, not least by myself, to the suggestion of forcing proportional representation upon boroughs which were adverse to it; that objection no longer holds good as regards this scheme, because it is provided that local opinion shall be ascertained in regard to it?" Is not that an undertaking —the undertaking to which I refer in my question—given by the right hon. Gentleman to this House?
§ Sir G. CAVENo, Sir; I do not call it an undertaking. I was explaining to the House the Clause I was then asking the House to pass—and I think I correctly described it.
§ Sir C. KINLOCH-COOKEHave not local inquiries been held under the Act and no notice taken of them whatever? Has not this gone through the ordinary course as it would have done without any inquiry? Would the right hon. and learned Gentleman see that in future due notice is given of these local inquiries, so that time may be given for a case to be prepared by the local authorities?
§ Sir G. CAVENo, I differ entirely from the suggestion that no notice has been taken of the local inquiries. On the contrary, I know that local inquiries have been effective in many cases. Where local inquiries are held under this Clause due notice will be given.
§ Mr. WATTCan the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Commission will hold that the assent of a Member of this House for any constituency is to be taken as the assent of the constituency itself?
§ Sir G. CAVEI must leave that to the Commissioners.
Mr. CHANCELLORWill the Government see that districts which do desire proportional representation are not deprived of it by this House?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat also is a matter for the Commissioners.
Colonel Sir F. HALLOn the same basis, will the right hon. Gentleman undertake that those who do not want proportional representation shall not have it forced upon them?
§ Sir G. CAVEI cannot give any undertaking: it is not in my power to do so. I have no doubt the Commissioners will take local feeling into account.