§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD RIBBLESDALEMy Lords, this Bill hangs almost entirely on the 8 previous one. As I explained a moment ago, the County Council polling districts are fixed by the County Council, but, in the opinion of Sir Edward Clarke and Sir Robert Finlay, when once they are fixed they cannot possibly be altered. This may lead to all sorts of difficulties, for a place which is very convenient at one cycle of years may become, owing to the circumstances of population, very inconvenient at another. The object of this Bill is to give county councils the power of altering any polling district from time to time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Ribblesdale.)
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEThis Bill concerns the Local Government Board as well as the Home Office, and I am asked to state that neither body offers any objection to the Bill, but they cannot give any pledge to support it.
§ LORD RIBBLESDALEAre we to understand from that that they oppose it?
§ THE EARL OF HARDWICKEAt this stage they do not oppose it, but I do not know what they may see fit to do at a future stage.
§ On Question, agreed to, Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.