§ 45. Mr. FOOTasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been drawn to the proceedings in relation to the Plymouth (Drake Division) election petition and the comments of the Judges upon the existing law in relation to corrupt practices; and whether he will ask the proposed Committee on Electoral Reform to consider the full Report of the petition proceedings so that suggestions might be made, if deemed advisable, for dealing with existing anomalies?
§ The PRIME MINISTER (Mr. Ramsay MacDonald)Yes, Sir. I am aware of the proceedings in this case, but I do not think it necessary that I should draw the special attention of the Electoral Conference to the proceedings.
§ Mr. FOOTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the judges there did ask that in certain particulars the law of 1715 corrupt practices should be brought up to date, having regard to modern practice?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe hon. Member must be perfectly well aware that, if any party in this House wishes to draw the attention of this Committee to any experiences of the last election, it is able to do so.
§ 46. Major NATHANasked the Prime Minister the present position as regards the promised Committee on Electoral Reform?
§ The PRIME MINISTERThe Committee is still in process of being set up.