§ 70. Mr. BOTTOMLEYasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that envelopes containing election addresses of candidates, which were posted early in December after being addressed from the officially corrected lists of absent voters, are still being returned in large quantities; and whether he will take special care, in connection with the compilation of the new register, to see that better facilities are afforded sailors and soldiers abroad for the exercise of their Parliamentary franchise?
§ Major ASTORI understand that many of the envelopes addressed to absent voters containing the election addresses of candidates at the General Election have been returned undelivered owing to the address being insufficient or the absence of the voter from his unit or some similar reason. As to the last part of the question, the hon. Member may rest assured 1375 that every possible step will be taken to facilitate sailors and soldiers voting at any Parliamentary election which may occur on the new register.
§ Mr. BOTTOMLEYWill the hon. Gentleman observe that the question was whether these things are still coming back in large quantities at the present time, and whether that does not indicate some great laxity in the preparation of the list?
§ Major ASTORA certain number have been coming back, but every endeavour is being made to see that the next list is more complete.