§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ VISCOUNT PEELMy Lords, the main object of this Bill is to extend the period for counting the votes after the poll, to enable time for the ballot papers to be sent back from the Front, in order that the soldiers may be able to record their votes at the coming Election. The time will be extended from eight to eleven days. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Viscount Peel.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a.
§ Then (Standing Order No. XXXIX having been suspended) House in Committee and Bill reported without amendment: Bill read 3a.
§ Moved, That the Bill do now pass.—(Viscount Peel.)
§ THE MARQUESS OF SALISBURYMy Lords, I cannot resist the temptation of making this observation upon the final stage of this Bill—namely, that if His Majesty's Government had been good enough to listen to one or two of us when the main Bill was passed through Parliament, this Bill would not have been necessary; for we then pointed out emphatically—and I think moved an Amendment—that the time allowed was not sufficient; but 196 the Local Government Board did not then agree with us.
§ VISCOUNT PEELI am sure the House will take note of the prescience shown by the noble Marquess.
§ On Question, Bill passed.