LOCAL GOVERNMENT (HOURS OF POLL) BILL. (Hansard, 12 July 1938)

LORD STRABOLGI

My Lords, this Bill, the Second Reading of which I have the honour to move, was introduced into another place by an honourable friend of mine, the Member for Romford, and it there passed through all its stages without opposition and with Government help and approval. It seeks to give power to returning officers in county and county borough elections to extend the polling hours from 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the request of a candidate or candidates. Your Lordships will be aware that this is already the law for county and Metropolitan borough elections in London. A certain number of other county boroughs and municipal boroughs have obtained similar powers by Private Acts of Parliament—for example, Barking. As your Lordships are aware, in urban district council elections the hours can be extended to nine o'clock. Therefore the Bill seeks to bring uniformity throughout the country. There have been complaints from time to time about low polls at certain local elections, and it is hoped that this extension of one hour at the request of the candidates in certain districts may increase the poll and be to the general convenience of the electorate. If your Lordships will turn to the Bill for a moment, you will find it is very 720 simple and concise. The first clause amends the Second Schedule of the Local Government Act, 1933, in order to bring about the aims of the Bill. Clause 2 is the short title and also repeals the section of the Barking Corporation Act, 1933, which will no longer be necessary and to which I have already referred. I hope that explanation is sufficient for noble Lords and that the Bill will achieve a quick passage through your Lordships' House. I beg to move.