45. Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYasked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the fact that in three-cornered electoral contests persons who represent only a minority of the electors are not infrequently returned to this House, he will consider the advisability, with a view to removing this anomaly, of introducing legislation for the institution of proportional representation or the alternative vote at Parliamentary elections?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Leader of the House)The Government have been fully occupied with other and more urgent questions and have not discussed further reforms in our electoral system. Personally, I am not clear that the assumption 1164 underlying this question is correct, namely, that in' the case of a three-cornered contest the two minorities are necessarily in greater agreement with each other than one or both of them may be with the majority. Several other matters of importance are raised by the question, but it would be improper for me to stretch a Parliamentary answer to the length necessary for their adequate statement and consideration.
§ Captain W. BENNHas any report been made to the Cabinet on this subject by the Minister of Health, and, if so, has such report been considered by the Government?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have said, using the formula current in my younger days, that the Cabinet have been engaged considering more urgent questions, and have not considered the further reform of our electoral system. As regards any memoranda submitted to the Cabinet, I must entirely demur on this or any other occasion to stating what papers are submitted to the Cabinet.
§ Mr. DEVLINIn view of the fact that the Government imposed a system of proportional representation on Ireland as one of the highest forms of governmental wisdom, why has similar provision not been made for this country?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINSo far as the hon. Gentleman asks my opinion, that is a matter of debate rather than of question and answer. So far as he is professing to give a statement of facts, I concurred in the establishment of this system in Ireland rather reluctantly, but preferred to see it established in Ireland rather than in this country. The results accruing so far in Ireland have not shattered my conviction.
§ Mr. DEVLINDid the right hon. Gentleman concur in the adoption of this system in Ireland as the result of his convictions or as a political expedient caused by his position as a Member of the Coalition Government?