HC Deb 21 April 1948 vol 449 cc1847-8

Amendments made: In page 50, line 9, after second "or," insert: to be elected to or hold any corporate office in the. In line 11, after second "or," insert: to being elected to or holding any corporate office in."—[Mr. Younger.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Mr. C. Williams

I would like the Home Secretary to tell me precisely what are the real changes in the law as a result of this Clause. Probably they are all right, but I would like to be in a position to say precisely what the Clause does. We have had no detailed explanation, and before I agree to a Clause I like to know what it means. I find this provision slightly complicated and I hope that we shall be given an explanation. I am sure that this Clause is necessary, but I would be more happy if the right hon. Gentleman would explain it.

5.15 p.m.

Mr. Ede

This is substantially a reenactment of existing law. It deals with an incapacity in respect of a particular constituency or local government area and the jurisdiction of election commissioners to inquire into a previous election in cases where there has been a change of boundaries. The effect is that the incapacity will apply, or the commissioners' jurisdiction will extend, to any new constituency or local government area which includes the whole or part of the previous constituency or area. It would be quite anomalous, if offences had been committed in a given area, that people who had committed the offences should be able to dodge the consequences merely because there had been an extension of boundaries or the area in which committed their offences had been absorbed in another area for local government purposes. It is highly desirable that it should be possible to bring home to the people responsibility for any offences which they may have committed and not allow them to ride off on a technicality such as the fact that the area in which the offence had been committed had ceased to exist.

Mr. Williams

I appreciate what the Home Secretary has said, but will he tell me what happens now? Is it an abuse that has gone on for some time?

Mr. Ede

This is substantially the reenactment of the existing law.

Mr. Williams

It seems that it is not only necessary, but ought to have been done a long while ago.

Question put, and agreed to.

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

Clauses 51 and 52 ordered to stand part of the Bill.