HC Deb 03 February 1943 vol 386 cc897-9
Mr. Clement Davies (by Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that yesterday, 2nd February, the Writ for the return of a Member for Central Bristol was moved, and on hearing of this a prospective candidate for this Division called on the returning officer to inquire the date of the poll and was told that no date could be fixed until he received notice of the Writ, which he presumed he would receive to-day, and he refused any information until he received the Writ; that there was issued on behalf of the Conservative prospective candidate yesterday a printed notice informing the electorate that the polling date had been fixed for 17th February, that on these facts it is apparent that a communication was made by the returning officer to the Conservative candidate and refused to another candidate; and what steps does he propose to take in the matter?

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)

I have made inquiries in the short time at my disposal and am informed that no date has yet been fixed for the poll for this by-election.

Mr. Davies

While I appreciate the very short time which has been available for the right hon. Gentleman, and equally for me, has he made any inquiries as to whether this poster or printed notice was issued; but, what is much more important, will he agree to make a public statement that a returning officer occupies a position of great trust, and that no information should be issued by such an officer to one candidate and denied to another?

Mr. Morrison

I entirely agree with that doctrine, and would certainly encourage that view, but I am quite categorically assured that no date has been fixed. In so far as anybody has announced the date, that is his responsibility. I deal with the returning officers, and I do not think I had better start dealing with individual political parties.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

In order to put the matter beyond doubt, will the right hon. Gentleman guarantee that the poll shall not take place on the date mentioned in the Question?

Mr. A. Bevan

Is it not obvious from the facts as disclosed that what has really happened is that the Conservative agent has prematurely disclosed private information?

Mr. Morrison

That does not follow at all. It may be that someone might have been guessing. [Interruption.] Believe me, anyone can guess. I can only say I am definitely assured by the Town Clerk, whom I regard as a competent and an honourable person, that no date has been fixed. As a matter of fact, he has now received the Writ, and there is to be an unofficial meeting with all the agents to-day in order to discuss with them unofficially what the date should be.

Mr. Bevan

Is it not perfectly clear that the whole matter of issuing Writs for by-elections has now become entirely unsatisfactory, because we have had instances quite recently where constituencies have been disfranchised for many months in order that certain political parties may fix up arrangements, and that this has happened in this case?

Mr. Thomas

May I have a reply to my question?

Mr. Maxton

Would it not be the normal procedure that the candidate of the party that previously held the seat would have advance knowledge of the date when the Writ would be moved in this House?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir; presumably, when the Whips move a Writ they are the first people to know that they will move it. Even so, under the law there still remains uncertainty as between certain dates as to when the poll will take place. On the point put to me as to whether I would take steps to see that the date mentioned was not made the polling day, I think it would be quite improper for me to interfere.

Mr. Thorne

Is it not a fact that so many days must elapse after the Writ has been issued in this House before the polling date can be fixed?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir, so many days within certain limits. There does remain a discretion with the returning officer, or acting returning officer, whose official responsibility it is to fix the date.