HL Deb 12 March 1906 vol 153 cc851-2

[SECOND READING.]

Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.

LORD MONKSWELL

My Lord, this Bill proposes to remedy an obvious defect in the law. As the law now stands, in the case of county council elections there is only a power to settle polling districts once for all, while in the case of Parliamentary elections there is power to settle the districts from time to time according to convenience and the conditions of the particular neighbourhood. It is very necessary that the alteration in the law proposed by this Bill should take place. Many inconveniences result from there being no power to alter the polling districts in the case of county councils. This Bill gives that power and I cannot imagine that there will be any opposition to it. I beg to move the Second Reading.

Moved, that the Bill be now read 2a.(Lord Monkswell.)

THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (Earl CARRINGTON)

My Lords, I have been asked by my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board to inform the noble Lord that there is no opposition whatever to his Bill. His Majesty's Government entirely approve of it, and are very glad to give it their support.

THE MARQUESS OF LONDONDERRY

I should like to ask my noble friend whether there is any difference between this Bill and the one which passed through all its stages in your Lordships' House last session.

LORD MONKSWELL

No; this is the same Bill. It has passed your Lordships' House four times.

On Question, Bill read 2a.

Committed to a Committee of the Whole House to-morrow.