HC Deb 13 December 1944 vol 406 cc1279-81

Order for Second Reading read.

1 p.m.

The Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. T. Johnston)

I beg to move "That the Bill be now read a Second time."

This Bill is a short emergency Measure extending for a period of three months to 31st March next year, the suspension of the preparation of registers of electors and the holding of local elections. As the House is aware, since March, 1939, there has been no preparation of registers and no holding of local elections.. The Gov- ernment, however, has decided to promote legislation to ensure that next year the elections will be held, and a Bill is in the Vote Office, presented to-day, which I understand will be discussed in this House at an early date, making provision to that end. In the meantime, however, it is essential that the present suspensory Act, which comes to an end on 31st December this year, shall be continued for a period of a further three months so as to have no hiatus between the two Acts.

1.2 p.m.

Mr. Butcher (Holland with Boston)

I think that my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland is very wise to have available in the Vote Office the text of the new Bill to deal with this matter; otherwise I doubt if this Bill would receive as easy a passage as it looks to be receiving to-day. It is high time that the right of the people to choose their representatives on the local councils was restored, and I congratulate the right hon. Gentleman on reducing the time to three months, feeling quite sure that, by that time, satisfactory legislation will have been passed.

1.3 p.m.

Mr. Creech Jones (Shipley)

I want to associate myself with what has just been said. We all look forward eagerly to the time when our municipalities can be more representative of the people. The existing arrangements have caused an enormous amount of strain, and while we accept the present arrangement as inevitable, we shall be heartily glad when our local government can return to something of its old dignity, elections be resumed, and once again the people feel that those managing our municipal affairs are properly representative of the feeling and the mood of the country.

1.4 p.m.

Commander King-Hall (Ormskirk)

I would add only this word. Whilst agreeing with both the previous speakers, I would remind the Government that no local elections have been held and there has now been a long delay. I do suggest that steps should be taken through the Ministry of Information to bring home to the public the real importance of local elections in order to arouse interest in them.

1.5 p.m.

Mr. T. Johnston

May I suggest that might be a very appropriate observation for my hon. and gallant Friend to make during the passage of the Bill introduced to-day?

Question put, and agreed to.

Bill accordingly read a Second time.

Bill committed to a Committee of the Whole House.—[Mr. Mathers.]

Committee To-morrow.