§ 46. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Prime Minister what reply he has sent to the Cardiff and District Women's Liberal Association concerning their resolution sent to him on the need for electoral reform.
§ The Prime MinisterAn acknowledgment was sent to the letter to which the hon. Member refers, and I have noted its contents. I have no statement to make on the subject of electoral reform at present.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Prime Minister aware that these ladies are not at all satisfied with the Prime Minister's reply; that they have expressed their very great disappointment of the right hon. Gentleman and his Government; and may I ask if he has now said his last word on this subject?
§ Mr. GrimondMay I ask the Prime Minister, as an old member of the Liberal Party, if he will get together with the very promising recruit to the principle of electoral reform, the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. G. Thomas), to see if together they cannot send a joint and more favourable answer to these excellent ladies?
§ The Prime MinisterI had the opportunity and advantage of receiving a deputation some time ago, but no definite results were arrived at as a result of those discussions. I am bound to say that I fear that a Measure dealing with this subject would not receive any very marked support from any part of the present House of Commons.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that when he was a Member of the Liberal Government the Government were not in favour of Proportional Representation, or at any rate they did nothing about it? Is he also aware that when he was Leader of the Opposition he urged very strongly upon the Labour Government that we should appoint a Select Committee of inquiry? It is true we rejected the proposal, but, now that the right hon. Gentleman is in power, is he going to appoint a Select Committee of inquiry and can he say whether or not the Conservative Party is in favour of some form of Proportional Representation or the alternative vote?
§ The Prime MinisterI really might retaliate by asking those questions in almost exactly the same words of the right hon. Gentleman.