HC Deb 23 April 1929 vol 227 cc693-4
45. Mr. BATEY

asked the Prime Minister, if he will take steps to provide that there shall be a general holiday on the polling day at the forthcoming General Election.

The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER (Mr. Churchill)

No, Sir.

Mr. BATEY

Is the Chancellor of the Exchequer aware of the very great difficulty that many electors have in recording their votes after they have finished work for the day?

Mr. CHURCHILL

The statutory hours of polling are from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., but a candidate or election agent is empowered, at the time of the nomination, to notify that he wishes the polling to commence at 7 a.m. or be kept open till 9 p.m. The enactment of a statutory general holiday would be attended by many complications. For one thing, it would render the payment of wages for that day not obligatory upon employers. At any rate, there would be many difficulties, and it has never been done in the past.

Mr. BATEY

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there will be more difficulty at the next Election—which we have been told is to take place on the 30th May—than before—

HON. MEMBERS

Why?

Mr. BATEY

I will tell the right hon. Gentleman. It is because of the manner in which the Government have increased the hours of miners.

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