§ 65. Sir H. NIELDasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the case of a woman householder who refused to fill up or have anything to do with Form A, she stating that in her belief it was an attempt on the part of the Government to conscript her for military service; and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing a simple form which can be easily understood by uneducated persons, and which will not give rise to misapprehension of this character?
Mr. WALSHMy right hon. Friend the President of the Local Government Board has not had his attention drawn to this particular case. It would be impossible to frame a form, however simple, which would not give rise to misapprehension on the part of some persons, educated or uneducated.
§ 66 Sir H. NIELDasked the President of the Local Government Board (1) whether he is aware that in some parishes the percentage of forms (Form A) returned by householders incorrectly filled up is as high as 70 per cent., in which cases it is necessary for the forms to be returned for completion or correction, involving repeated calls by canvassers and 535 consequent delay in compiling the lists; whether he is aware that the inability to fill up the form is due to its complex nature rather than to lack of intelligence on the part of the householder; whether there is any real prospect of the register being printed by the date fixed by the Order in Council; and, if not, what steps he proposes to take in the matter;
(2) whether he has received any reports from registration officers, overseers, or others, as to the relative numbers or the percentage of postcards received from naval and military voters abroad claiming to be entered upon the electors' lists, in accordance with the arrangement outlined in the Memorandum R. P. 7, issued by his Department; whether he is able to give any estimate of the proportion of such voters who are likely to be disfranchised in consequence of the non-receipt by registration officers of such postcards; whether the system is working satisfactorily; and, if not, whether he will consider the desirability of arranging for an extension of the time within which the register is to be completed, in order that the names of all persons entitled to be registered may be entered in the lists; and
(3) whether he has received from registration officers any representations as to the impossibility of completing the register of electors within the prescribed time; and, if so, whether he will consider the question of extending the time in order to ensure that the register shall be complete and accurate?
Mr. WALSHMy right hon. Friend is aware that in many districts considerable difficulties are experienced by registration officers in getting the information necessary to enable them to publish the lists in the time prescribed by the Order-in-Council and that these difficulties arise from a variety of causes. The question of & short postponement of dates for the preparation of the lists is under consideration.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEWill the hon. Gentleman state whether it is proposed, as suggested in one of these questions, to use a simpler form for the guidance of the people who have to fill them up?
§ Mr. SNOWDENWould it not have been much better if instructions had been given for a house-to-house canvass?
Mr. WALSHCirculars have been sent out to the registration officers impressing 536 upon them the desirability of making, wherever possible, a house-to-house canvass. That is distinctly laid down in the circular. As to the simpler form, it is not so easy as the hon. Member may think, and simplicity itself sometimes leads to greater difficulties.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSEDoes my hon. Friend think the form sent out is the last word in simplicity?
§ Mr. GULLANDIf a longer period is given, will the hon. Member see that longer time is given for the inspection of the register in order to ensure that everyone will have an opportunity of seeing whether his or her name is on the register?
Mr. WALSHIt is quite impossible to promise that, but the whole matter is receiving very careful consideration. On the one hand, it is impossible to make it a long period, and, on the other, it is desirable that a reasonable time should be given.