§ 30. Mr. RHYS DAVIESasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been called to the fact that in connection with the recent municipal elections in the City of Manchester one candidate was nominated for nine wards and another for five wards; and, in view of the unnecessary expenditure involved by these candidatures, who polled an infinitesimal proportion of votes, will he take steps to amend the Law to prevent any similar practices in future?
The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Lieut.-Colonel Sir Vivian Henderson)I have been asked to reply to this question. Yes, Sir, but except in two wards where the candidature resulted in a contest, no' appreciable increase in expenditure was entailed. My right hon. Friend has considered the question of taking steps to prevent frivolous candidatures, but opinions are very far from being unanimous on the matter. There is, he believes, very definite opposition from the hon. Member's own friends to a suggestion that a system of deposits by candidates should be introduced such as exists in the case of Parliamentary elections. My right hon. Friend will be 1071 quite willing to consider any fresh information on the subject that any hon. Members may wish to lay before him.