§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD MONKSWELLMy Lords, this is a Bill that proposes to transfer in certain cases some of the powers that have been hitherto exercised by justices of the peace in petty sessions, and sometimes in quarter sessions, with regard to the arrangement of polling districts in Parliamentary boroughs to the county council in boroughs where the town council is not the local authority. The reason why your Lordships are asked to give your assent to this alteration is this, that at present county councils have complete jurisdiction over the polling arrangements with regard to county council elections, and it seems extremely desirable that one authority should be supreme in this matter. This Bill, like the last one, has passed your Lordships' House on three occasions, but has failed to get through the other House. It is assented to by the Government, and I hope your Lordships will again read it a second time.
§ Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(Lord Monkswell.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Tuesday next.