1. Mr. Vaneasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proportion of the adult population of the British Zone of Germany are disqualified from voting at Land or local elections; and what are the main reasons for such disqualification.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Mayhew)The estimated proportion is about 3.3 per cent. Of these, about two per cent. are debarred from voting either for lack of residential qualifications or because they are lunatics or criminals; the remainder, because they were formerly active Nazis or militarists.
Mr. VaneDid the hon. Gentleman take into account the very large refugee population from the Eastern Provinces and beyond when he made that calculation?
§ Mr. MayhewI do not think that this figure includes the latest arrivals from Eastern Germany. These calculations would have been made before the time of the main arrivals from the East.
Mr. VaneCan the Under-Secretary say when these calculations were made, because refugees continue to arrive in large numbers?
§ Mr. MayhewThey were based on this year's local elections but I cannot give the exact date.
§ Mr. Vernon BartlettCan the hon. Gentleman say how long refugees from Eastern Germany must be resident in the Western zone before they are qualified to vote?
§ Mr. MayhewI am afraid I should need notice of that Question.