§ 53. Mr. WATTasked the Prime Minister whether, when the system of proportional representation for the election of 100 Members to this House comes up for consideration, any proposal will be made by the Government to limit the scale of expenses in the constituencies dealt with, in view of the facts that larger areas will arise and that the scale of expenses in the Reform Act will, in such areas, amount to three or five times as much, as the case may be, as those of single-member constituencies?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir George Cave)My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply. Any alteration in the scale of election expenses would require legislation, and in the event of the scheme for proportional representation being adopted by both Houses of Parliament the question of introducing an amending Bill would receive consideration.
§ Sir G. CAVEThat is the meaning of the answer.