EXPENSES UNDER THE REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACTS.

HC Deb 07 May 1929 vol 227 cc2131-2

Motion made, and Question proposed, That a sum, not exceeding £160,000, be granted to His Majesty, to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1930, for Expenses under the Representation of People Acts, 1918 to 1928."—[NOTE.—£90,000 has been voted on account.]

Mr. MAXTON

On this particular Vote, or on this series of Votes, we are deciding upon the expenditure of a very considerable sum of money. I know that when the hour of 10 o'clock is reached we have to proceed through the amounts, however great they may be, with the lightning celerity with which you, Captain Bourne, have started, but from now until 10 o'clock I imagine that it is our duty to discuss these various sums and to ask the Government of the day to defend the expenditure. The point that I want to put to the Government representative on the Front Bench is as to who is to be responsible for defending the particular item upon which we are now engaged.

Major ELLIOT

I shall have no hesitation in answering any question the hon. Member likes to put. This question of the representation of the people, though only a small sum is involved, is among the duties with which the Secretary of State for Scotland is intimately connected, and I am fully conversant with the whole question.

Mr. MAXTON

What about the English side of it?

Major ELLIOT

We have had to learn the English side as well.

Question put, and agreed to.