HC Deb 09 May 1922 vol 153 cc2043-5

The dates fixed by the Representation of the People Act, 1918 (in this Act referred to as "the principal Act"), for the end of the qualifying period and for certain other purposes in connexion with the registration of electors, shall be modified in the manner shown, as respects England and Wales in Part I, as respects Scotland in Part II, and as respects Northern Ireland in Part III, of the Schedule to this Act; and the principal Act shall have effect accordingly.

The following Amendment stood on the Order Paper in the name of Sir William Bull: At the end of the Clause to insert the words Subject to the proviso that until the year 1928—

  1. (a) the preparation and issue of the half-yearly spring registers shall be suspended;
  2. (b) that during such period of suspension of such registers the qualifying period and dates relating to the autumn registers shall apply and be operative for the twelve months;
  3. (c) that during such period of suspension there shall be prepared and issued a supplemental spring register of claimants, for the qualifying period and dates as provided by Part IV and Part V of the Schedule to this Act and the principal Act shall have effect accordingly;
  4. (d) that such supplementary registers shall contain only the names of persons who have made and sustained a claim to be registered in accordance with the provisions of the principal Act as modified by this Act;
  5. (e) that every claim for the supplemental register shall declare the full postal address or addresses of the claimant's qualifying premises during the seven months preceding the qualifying date, such address or addresses to he printed in the list of claims and in the supplemental register;
  6. (f) that the supplemental register shall remain in force together with the preceding autumn register until the next autumn register comes into force."

Mr. SPEAKER

This Amendment goes beyond the scope of the Bill. It would have the effect of disfranchising some people, and really is an Amendment to the franchise law. It is far beyond the scope and Title of the Bill.

Sir WILLIAM BULL

On a point of Order. Might I make an appeal to the Home Secretary to consider whether something in the nature of this Amendment cannot be made? I know that there is more than one party in the House and more than one opinion with regard to this matter. As most hon. Members are aware, I was a Member of the Committee when this question was first considered, and from the point of view of economy very many thousands of pounds might be saved if something of the sort suggested were done. Could not the right hon. Gentleman call a conference of those interested with a view to considering the matter? As a matter of fact, the majority of the elections take place upon the autumn Register——

Major MACKENZIE WOOD

On a point of Order. Are we not having a Debate upon an Amendment which you, Sir, ruled out of Order?

Mr. SPEAKER

The right hon. Baronet the Member for Hammersmith (Sir W. Bull) must not make a speech, he can only ask a question.

Sir W. BULL

I will content myself with asking the Home Secretary whether he cannot consider this matter merely in the interests of economy.

The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. Shortt)

If any hon. Members who are not in agreement about this question come together and consider the point and put any proposals before me, of course, I shall give them my most careful consideration. This is a matter on which we have endeavoured to get the opinion of the various parties in the House through the ordinary channels. There is a very great difference of opinion upon it but, at the same time, if any new proposal is put forward I will carefully consider it.

The following Amendment stood on the Order Paper in the name of Mr. Dennis Herbert: At the end of the Clause to insert the words Subject to the proviso that until the year 1928—

  1. (a) the preparation and issue of the half-yearly spring registers shall be suspended;
  2. (b) during such period of suspension of such spring registers the qualifying period and dates relating to the autumn registers shall apply and be operative for the twelve months and the autumn registers shall continue to operate until the next register shall come into force."

Mr. SPEAKER

The ruling I have just given refers to this Amendment, only more so. This Amendment goes a good deal farther than that of the right hon. Baronet the Member for Hammersmith (Sir W. Bull).