§ Considered in Committee, and reported, without Amendment.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read the Third time."
§ 8.50 p.m.
§ Captain Crookshank (Gainsborough)On the Second Reading stage, my right hon. Friend raised a question with regard to "satisfactory elections" which appeared in one Clause, and the right hon. Gentleman said he would have a look at it and see if he could change it. As there was no Government Amendment presumably he did not find any reason in his own mind to make an alteration. Perhaps it would not be out of Order, as the words stay in the Bill, if the Home Secretary explained what is meant by "satisfactory elections".
§ 8.51 p.m.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)There have been several examples recently, but what it means in this case is one in which there are adequate and appropriate electors to take part in the election. The Bill is designed to deal with a situation rather with regard to dock and harbour trusts, where, owing to the fact that most of the chartering has been done by the Government, dues have not been paid by the people who used to be the electors. Their eligibility as electors depended upon their 1188 paying dues. This Bill is designed to see that those who really ought to take part in the election on any permanent basis shall be the people who do take part. We have searched very earnestly to find a better word than "satisfactory." We are assured it is the only satisfactory word.
§ Bill accordingly read the Third time, and passed, without Amendment.