§ 8. Captain Duncanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will amend the Representation of the People 1117 Act, so as to avoid in future the confusion which arose at the recent Election regarding the right to postal vote by ministers attending the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland.
§ Mr. J. N. BrowneNo, Sir. The Registration Appeal Court has decided that ministers of the Church of Scotland who are required to attend the General Assembly in circumstances similar to those arising at the recent General Election are entitled to a postal vote under the existing law.
§ Captain DuncanIs my hon. Friend aware that there was considerable confusion at the last Election about this matter, and, as this may happen again, would it not be better to make the position abundantly clear by amendment of the Act?
§ Mr. BrowneNo, Sir. I am afraid, although I appreciate the point, that if legislation were undertaken it could not be confined to ministers of the Church of Scotland, and no legislation on this subject is at present contemplated.
§ Mr. RossDoes the Minister realise that there is no reason why it should be confined to the ministers? Does he realise that in many cases the ministers' wives have an official task to perform there, and also that the elders have to be there by virtue of their appointment?
§ Mr. BrowneThat is a wider question, and I think that we should be wise to see how the Act goes on.