§ 3.57 p.m.
§ Mr. HUTCHISONI beg to move,
That leave be given to bring in a Bill to amend the law in respect of the redistribution of seats at Parliamentary elections; and for purposes connected therewith.This is a one Clause Bill and its purpose is to appoint three Members instead of one for the present constituency of Romford. The suggested new constituencies would be (1) Romford, which 742 would include the urban and rural districts of Romford and the urban district of Hornchurch; (2) Barking, which is now a municipal borough; and (3) the urban district of Dagenham. This, I believe, is necessary owing to the rapid growth of the district. Within the last 10 years this division has increased from roughly 40,000 to 150,000 electors. At the present rate of increase of between 11,000 and 12,000 a year there will be within five years 200,000 elector for the Romford division. Added to that, plans have been confirmed and the builders are now getting busy for a new estate of houses beside the ordinary development by which there will be 32,000 new inhabitants. That means that in ale next five years there will be well over 232,000 electors. It is obvious that it is more than one Member can do to represent so many people. It is manifestly impossible for anybody to do it. One cannot get round the division in any normal time, and at election time it will be quite impossible to get round the various parts of the constituency to make oneself known. As I said once when asking a question on this subject, it is too great an honour for one person to represent so many people.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Bill ordered to be brought in by Mr. Hutchison, Colonel Ruggles-Brise, Mr. Raikes, Miss Graves, Mr. Hamilton Kerr. Mr. Hanley, Mr. James MacAndrew, and Mr. Herbert Williams.