LORD HARRIS, in moving the Second Reading of this Bill, said that it had already been passed by the other House of Parliament, and it had been framed for the purpose of rectifying in an economical and speedy manner various irregularities and mistakes which experience had shown might occur at the local government elections held under the Act of 1894. Under the powers that had been conferred upon them the County Council in one average-sized county had been able to rectify the irregularities and mistakes that had occurred in some 70 cases, and the present Bill would empower them at the present and ensuing election to deal with those irregularities and mistakes in the same way. It was desirable to avoid the, friction and expense that would be occasioned by a fresh election being rendered necessary owing to these irregularities and mistakes, and in that view the Lower House had accepted the reasons of the Local Government Board, and had passed this Bill, which he now asked their Lordships to read a Second time. ["Hear, hear!"]
Read 2a (according to Order): Then Standing Orders Nos. XXXIX. and XLV. considered (according to Order), and dispensed with: Committee negatived: Bill read 3a, and passed.