§ 44. Mr. Keelingasked the Home Secretary what is the average number of electors per Member of Parliament; and in how many single-Member constituencies the number of electors exceeds the average by 25 per cent. or more?
§ Sir S. HoareExcluding University constituencies, the average number of electors per Member of Parliament in England and Wales is 53,518. In 79 of the 498 single-Member constituencies, the electorate exceeds this average figure by 25 per cent. or more.
§ Mr. KeelingDo not these figures show that many constituencies are seriously under-represented in this House, and that therefore the demand for a redistribution is a reasonable one?
§ Sir S. HoareI am afraid that no scheme is perfect, and that there are these anomalies at any given time.
§ Mr. ThorneIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that many constituencies are badly represented?
Mr. V. AdamsDo the Government contemplate any measure of redistribution before the statutory end of this Parliament?
§ Sir S. HoareI would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which the Prime Minister gave on that subject about a week ago.