HC Deb 24 June 1976 vol 913 cc1796-8
7. Mr. Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to refer the additional member system as recommended by the Hansard Society to any Speaker's Conference on Electoral Reform.

Mr. Roy Jenkins

The Hansard Society has made an interesting proposal, but I cannot yet say whether it will be within the terms of reference of the Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law.

Mr. Rathbone

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, apart from whether it is within the terms of reference, there are many people in the Houses of Parliament and outside who are concerned at the way the Government appear to be dragging their feet in not setting up this Speaker's Conference? Will he expedite the matter?

Mr. Jenkins

Yes, we should like to get on and get the Speaker's Conference set up. I am not sure that the hon. Gentleman is correct about the Government dragging their feet. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister has made suggestions to other party leaders on the terms of reference. The replies have been received, but only fairly recently. It is a matter for the Prime Minister, in consultation with the leaders of the other parties, to determine the terms of reference. I agree that there are a number of matters of ongoing business, apart from wider and more controversial issues, on which it is important to have the Speaker's Conference reconvened. I hope, Mr. Speaker, that it will be convenient to you that that should be done at a fairly early stage.

Mr. Michael Stewart

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this system of voting is not recommended by the Hansard Society or by the commission appointed by it, and that the Hansard Society takes no responsibility for the commission's report?

Mr. Jenkins

Quite so. I am grateful to my right hon. Friend for that correction. As an ex-Chairman of the Fabian Society—I believe that my right hon. Friend may be as well—I should be aware that bodies can sponsor inquiries without taking any responsibility for the nature of their results.

Sir D. Walker-Smith

Apart from the rather more esoteric remedies that are proposed by one source or another, does the right hon. Gentleman accept that action is urgently necessary by reason of the gross disparities of electorates thrown up by the present system, as evidenced by his Department's answer to my Question a fortnight ago?

Mr. Jenkins

With respect—this is most exceptional for the right hon. and learned Gentleman—I do not think that his supplementary question bears directly upon the Question or upon a Speaker's Conference. The right hon. and learned Gentleman has referred to the disparities which arise within the time scale which the House has laid down in which the Boundary Commission should do its work. In fact, the commission is doing its work within that time scale. It is moving towards the earliest possible date within the span allowed to it. One of its objectives will be precisely to correct such disparities.