Lords Sitting of 10 March 1896

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (ELECTIONS) (No. 2) BILL.
This Bill having been read 2a,
LORD HERSCHELL,in moving the suspension of Standing Orders XXXIX. and XLV., said the Bill was similar to the Measure passed a few days ago to obviate a difficulty which had arisen with regard to District and Parish elections. The date fixed was March 9. As it was not an uncommon thing for persons to change their dwellings on March 25, the result of fixing so early a date as the 9th would be to disqualify any such persons from being elected. The Bill passed the other House unanimously.
EARL COWPERsaid, every week or two some little Amendment had to be proposed to make this Act work, and, as there were several clauses which needed looking into, he thought it would be better if the Government brought in a Bill to correct one or two important matters. For instance, any one could demand a poll, and generally the man who demanded it got very few votes.
LORD HARRISsaid, the President of the Local Government Board had no objection to the Bill; and as to the point referred to by his noble Friend, he should call the attention of his right hon. Friend to it.
LORD HERSCHELLsaid, this Bill was not so much rendered necessary by any defect in the Act as by the accidental fixing of so exceptionally an early date.
LORD HARRISsaid, he was not so sure of that. Full consideration was given to the date; but Easter had to be considered.
THE PRIME MINISTER (the MARQUESS of SALISBURY)said, if he recollected aright, they did urge the importance of requiring more than one person to demand a poll, but the Government had a strong objection—he forgot what.
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He doubted if it was so non-contentious a matter as the noble and learned Lord fancied.
Standing Orders Nos. XXXIX. and XLV. Considered (according to Order), and dispensed with; Committee negatived; Bill read 3a and passed.

HOUSE OF LORDS OFFICES.
First Report from the Select Committee made; to be printed; and to be considered on Tuesday next.—[No. 29.]
House adjourned at Twenty-five minutes before Five o'clock, to Thursday next, a Quarter past Ten o'clock.