§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
LORD MONKSWELLMy Lords, this Bill is introduced to remedy a clear defect in the law as it at present stands. Some years ago the law officers decided that county councils were only enabled by Act of Parliament once for all to settle polling districts. This decision put them to great inconvenience, because, owing to changes of a local character, it is frequently necessary to alter the arrangement of polling districts. This Bill enables them to do so. The present state of the law is extremely 7 anomalous, inasmuch as polling districts can be altered from time to time for Parliamentary elections but not for county council elections. This Bill, I believe in the identical form in which it is now before your Lordships, has passed this House no less than three times. Last year it was introduced by my noble friend Lord Ribblesdale, whose illness we all deplore; and, as it is a non-contentious measure and agreed to by the Government, I hope your Lordships will give it a Second Reading.
§ 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.