§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read
§ THE DUKE OF DEVONSHIREMy Lords, the purpose of this Bill is to continue until the end of next year the provisions of the Local Elections and Register of Electors (Temporary Provisions) Act of last year, with certain minor additions and Amendments. The Act of last year suspended local elections, and provided for the elections by councils to any casual vacancy that might occur. It also imposed a prohibition on alterations of the area or the constitution of local authorities, and suspended steps towards the preparations of the register of electors and juror's book. It was stated last year with, I think, general agreement that it was the intention of the Government to continue the suspension of normal electoral activity with regard to local government affairs until the war should be over, and that it was desirable to proceed by stages so that Parliament might keep the whole subject under the closest review. For this reason it was decided to advance the period of suspension from time to time by further legislation. Accordingly the present Bill is now brought in and I have no doubt that your Lordships will think it as necessary as the Bill of last year. Indeed the same reasons which made it desirable to suspend local government elections last year operate even more to-day. The life of Parliament, as your Lordships are aware, has also been prolonged.
Apart from certain small Amendments embodied in the Schedule to the Bill which were found to be desirable as a result of the experience gained in the 114 working of it, the present Bill possesses two new features. Firstly, it is extended to cover the suspension of Scottish county and district council elections. Neither of these fell to take place in 1939, and therefore could not be included in last year's measure. Secondly, the Bill contains a provision safeguarding the superannuation rights of certain contributory employees, part of whose remuneration is normally derived from work on the register of electors or the juror's book. I do not think I need go into details of that provision which is designed to save from hardship certain officials whose remuneration and consequent superannuation rates would be affected by the suspension of work on the rolls of electors. With that brief explanation, I hope your Lordships will see fit to give the Bill a Second Reading. I beg to move.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a—(The Duke of Devonshire.)
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House.