I have no desire to press the point with regard to putting the form of the card into the schedule in view of what the Minister has said. Neither do I wish to press the point that, before a card of that kind is prescribed by the Minister, the Order should be laid before the House. If this were a permanent Bill, I think it should contain a provision for laying such an Order before the House. I merely wish to put that point before the Minister so that he may bear it in mind. As the Bill will operate only for a short time and as speed is the essence of the matter, I do not desire to press that point.
Committee on Finance. - Electoral (Polling Cards) Bill, 1943—Committee and Final Stages.
Question proposed: "That Section 1 stand part of the Bill".
I shall try to have circulated, for the general information of the House, the form of the card which it is proposed to issue.
That might be useful. Before the Minister puts that offer before us, I should like to make a remark which I intended to make on the next section. The letterpress on the back of the card should not begin with the negative statement that the card does not entitle the person to vote. It should begin with the positive statement that the name of the person to whom it is addressed appears on the register after the number indicated on the front. Then as many precautionary qualifications as were thought necessary could be introduced.
Question put and agreed to.
Sections 2 to 5 and Title agreed to.
Bill reported without amendment, received for final consideration and passed.