PART II. (Hansard, 11 May 1926)

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND
The next Amendment also is intended to bring the Bill into tine as regards Scottish matters. The 15th June is at present, in Scotland, the last day of the qualifying period for the Autumn Register. It was originally proposed in the Bill to make the last day the 1st June, as is done in the case of England, on account of the extra work involved in preparing the Annual Register, which is to come into force on the same date as the Autumn Register—namely, the 15th October. It has been found possible, however, to arrange for the work to be done within the period presently allowed, and it is now proposed to retain the present date—the 15th June. This date is further to be preferred because the 28th May is the principal removal term in Scotland, and removals take place largely during the first week in June. With the qualifying period ending on the 15th June persons so 186 removing will be registered where eligible for their new address. They would be registered for their old address if the qualifying period ended on the 1st June. The Amendment is agreed with the Party Agents and Registration Officers in Scotland.

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND
My next Amendment is consequential on my first Amendment.

§ LORD DESBOROUGH
The Amendment that I now propose is consequential. It has been agreed to by the representatives of the three Parties.

THE DUKE OF SUTHERLAND
The table of new Scottish registration dates in respect of the Annual Register is agreed with the Registration Officers and Party Agents.

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Section 2	The words "at the time of voting" shall be omitted and after the words "with an official mark and" there shall be inserted the words "at the time of voting shall be" and after the words "can be identified" there shall be inserted the words "or which was not duly issued."
Section 4	At the end the following proviso shall be inserted:—
	"Provided that nothing in this section shall affect the powers of the returning officer under the rules in Schedule one to this Act to examine the numbers on the backs of ballot papers for the purpose of identifying and rejecting ballot papers not duly issued."
Schedule I.,
Part I.	In rule 20, the words "with instruments for stamping thereon the official mark" shall be omitted.
	In rule 24, the word "Immediately" shall be omitted, and after the words "either" stamped or perforated and" there shall be inserted the words "immediately before it is so delivered."
	For rule 34, the following rule shall be substituted:—
	"34.—(1) Before the returning officer proceeds to count the votes he shall, in the presence of the agents of the candidates, open each ballot box and, taking out the ballot papers therein, shall count and record the number thereof and verify the ballot paper account given by each presiding officer by comparing it with the number of ballot papers so

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	recorded by him and the unused and spoilt ballot papers in his possession and the tendered votes list, and shall reseal each sealed packet after examination. The returning officer shall thereupon mix together the whole of the ballot papers contained in the ballot boxes:
	Provided that if, after counting and recording the number of ballot papers and verifying the number recorded as aforesaid, the returning officer finds that there is a discrepancy between the number so recorded and the number stated in the ballot paper account and has reason to believe that the discrepancy has been caused by the insertion of ballot papers not duly issued, he may, before mixing the ballot papers together, examine the numbers printed on the backs of the ballot papers for the purpose of identifying and rejecting as invalid any ballot papers which have not been duly issued.
	(2) The returning officer while counting and recording the number of ballot papers and verifying the number so recorded and counting the votes shall keep the ballot papers with their faces upwards and take all proper precautions for preventing any person from seeing the numbers printed on the backs of such papers and shall, if he himself examines such numbers for the purpose aforesaid, take all proper precautions for preventing any other person from seeing such numbers during such examination."
	In rule 36, after paragraph 4, the following paragraph shall be inserted:—
	"5. Not duly issued." At the end of rule 36 the following words shall be inserted ho shall also report to the Clerk of the Crown in Chancery the result of his verification of the ballot paper accounts, and shall, on request, allow any agents of the candidates, before such report is sent, to take copies of it."
	In rule 37 all words from "but shall proceed" to the end of the rule shall be omitted.