PREFACE. THE CONSTITUTIONAL YEAR BOOK was first issued in 1885 with the special object of supplying a want which had often been expressed by Conservative speakers and journalists, and by politicians generally; viz., of a cheap and handy reference book of information on the political questions of the day, containing facts and statistics of public interest, such as are often only obtainable after laborious search among Parliamentary Blue Books and other official documents. The success which attended its issue has justified the continuance of the publication in an enlarged and improved form. The Constitutional Year Book does not claim to compete in variety of general information with the numerous and valuable Almanacs at present in circulation: its scope is chiefly political. At the same time, there will be found in its pages much of the information usually contained in an Almanac, in addition to novel features which are believed to distinguish it from any work of the kind which has yet appeared. Special attention is drawn to the complete information relating to the new Constituencies, and the General Elections of 1885 and 1886; to the Parliamentary Summary, arranged in a new and convenient form; to the list showing the votes of each member of the House of Commons on every important division during the late and present Parliament; to the Political Notes on questions of current interest; and to the numerous Statistical Tables at the end, all of which have been prepared with great care. The Editor will be glad to receive any suggestions or corrections from correspondents. November 1st, 1886. CONSERVATIVE CENTRAL OFFICE, ST. STEPHEN'S CHAMBERS, Mutual Life Assurance Company, NEW BRIDGE STREET, LONDON, E.C. INCORPORATED IN THE YEAR 1847, UNDER ACT 7 AND 8 VICT., CAP. 110, AND FURTHER EMPOWERED BY SPECIAL ACT, 15 VICT., CAP. 53. DIRECTORS. JOHN RÜNTZ, Esq., F.A.S., F.S.S., CHAIRMAN. J. H. TROUNCER, M.D., Lond., DEPUTY-CHAIRMAN. H. M. BOMPAS, Esq., Q.C. DONALD MUNRO, Esq. AUDITORS (Elected by the Members). W. AUGUSTINE SPAIN, Esq., AND HENRY CATTLEY STEWART, Esq. SOLICITORS-Messrs. WATSON, SONS, AND ROOM. This Company being established on the Mutual Principle, all Surplus Funds belong to the Members. Every third year a careful Valuation of the Business is made, and large Bonuses have been declared. The average Cash Bonus (Triennially) exceeds 20 per cent. on the Premiums paid. The Surplus Funds already appropriated exceed One Million Sterling. It has an ANNUAL INCOME exceeding Two Hundred and Ten Thousand Pounds. An ACCUMULATED FUND, arising solely from Premiums, exceeding One Million One Hundred and Twenty Thousand Pounds, And has PAID IN CLAIMS upwards of One Million Sterling. Policies absolutely indisputable after five years, provided the age of the Assured has been admitted. Policies kept in force when requested by appropriating the Surrender Value to the payment of Premiums. No charge for voyage to, or residence in, any part of the World, except unhealthy climates. Assurers under the TEMPERANCE SCHEME are placed in a separate Section. LOANS on FREEHOLDS, LEASEHOLDS, and other SECURITIES considered. Prospectuses, Copies of the last Report and Balance Sheet, and Board of Trade Returns, &c., can be obtained on application to any of the Agents of the Company, or to EDWIN BOWLEY, SECRETARY. Present and Preceding Ministries-Prime Ministers since 1702-Table of Administrations since 1800-Departments of the Government-Royal History-Procedure-Representative Peers for Scotland and Ireland-Com- position of House of Lords-Peers sitting under other titles-Creations since 1830-Officers-Peers of Scotland and Ireland-Peeresses-Bishops History-Procedure-Composition-List of Members-Officers-The late House of Commons-List of Divisions-Analysis of Votes of Members in THE PARLIAMENTARY FRANCHISE :— Registration of Voters-Election Law-The Redistribution Act, 1885. 164 CONSTITUENCIES AND ELECTIONS :- List of Constituencies-The General Elections of 1885-86-Electoral PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS, 1886 :- Parliamentary Summary-The Statutes of 1886-Public Bills-Parliamen- I. Burmah—II. Local Taxation—III, County Government—IV. Tithes— V. Working-class Legislation.-.VI. Admiralty Reforms. 331 HONOURS, PROMOTIONS, AND APPOINTMENTS, 1886. 333 OBITUARY OF PROMINENT POLITICIANS, 1886. Revenue, Expenditure, Taxation-The National Debt-Population-Edu- Allotments-Commerce, Imports and |