§ 20. Mr. GILBERTasked the President of the Local Government Board how many registration officers in the London area have commenced or arranged for a proper house-to-house canvass in order to obtain complete lists of voters for the new registers; can he state if he has yet ordered all registration officers in London to undertake such a canvass; and, if not, will he undertake to issue such an Order?
§ The PRESIDENT Of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Hayes Fisher)I have made inquiry, and find that in most districts in the London area a house-to-house canvass has been made, or is being made at the present time. In the Memorandum which I sent to registration officers on the 17th instant, and again in the Circular of the 23rd instant, I impressed upon them the importance of making the electors' lists complete, and authorised the employment of additional staff in order that the house-to-house inquiry might be as thorough as possible.
§ Mr. ROWLANDSWill not the right hon. Gentleman inquire as to whether the persons who are doing the house-to-house canvassing are qualified to give advice where it is needed, or whether they simply read the canvass papers, and are not able to give any advice whatever?
§ Mr. FISHERThe hundreds, if not thousands, of canvassers have no doubt varying qualifications—at the present time!—and from many I doubt whether much assistance can be derived.
§ Mr. FISHERThe canvassers are generally expected to do their best, and, where possible, to give the information necessary to secure the correct filling up of the forms.
§ Mr. WHITEHOUSECan the right hon. Gentleman state whether the canvassers he has referred to have themselves been instructed in the correct way of filling up these forms?
§ Mr. FISHERIt is impossible for the President of the Local Government Board to answer a question like that.
§ Mr. G. FABERIs the right hon. Gentleman aware of the really great difficulty there is in the correct filling up of these forms? Has he heard of the authentic case of the old lady who said she had prayed to God all night, and that this had not enabled her to fill in the paper properly? In view of this fact, cannot some means be found to employ men of skill so that they may give proper advice?
§ Mr. FISHERIf my hon. Friend can find me some thousands of men and women of skill I shall be very much obliged to him.
§ Mr. SPEAKERAny further questions had better be put down.