HC Deb 20 April 1948 vol 449 cc1738-9

9.45 P.m.

Mr. Younger

I beg to move, in page 37, line 18, at the end, to insert: (3) In relation to elections of a chairman of a district council or parish council or meeting in England or Wales, Part IV of the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882 and the local corrupt practices Act shall, subject to such adaptations, alterations and exceptions as may be made by district or parish election rules under the Local Government Act, 1933, apply in like manner as in the case of elections under that Act of the mayor of a borough. Perhaps we could discuss at the same time the next Amendment—in line 21, at the end to add: of councillors, and in relation to any election so held of the chairman of a council. The object of these Amendments is to put right an anomaly in the existing law under the Municipal Corporations Act, 1882. The provisions of that Act, as they relate to elections and the provisions of the Municipal Elections (Corrupt and Illegal Practices) Act, 1884, apply to the election of mayors and the chairmen of county councils, but not to the election of chairmen of district and parish councils. The Amendment in line 18 corrects that anomaly, and the Amendment in line 21 is consequential upon it.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendment made: In page 37, line 21, at end, add: of councillors, and in relation to any election so held of the chairman of a council."—[Mr. Younger.]

Clause, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clauses 38 and 39 ordered to stand part of the Bill.