§ 68. Major E. WOODasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the register of Parliamentary voters for the University of Oxford; whether the addresses of a large number of voters are not furnished; and, if so, whether there are any special difficulties to which this fact may be attributed?
§ Major ASTORBy Section 19 of the Representation of the People Act, 1918, the register of electors for a university constituency is to be kept and made up in the form directed by the governing body of the university, and the general provisions and Rules in the Act relating to the preparation of registers of electors do not apply. My right hon. Friend communicated with the Registrar of Oxford University, and is informed that the register is made out in accordance with a Decree passed by Convocation, and contains the name, college, and degree of each elector. I understand that the home addresses of many graduates are not in the possession of the university authorities, but are more generally known to the college authorities, and that if communications to an elector are sent to his college they will be forwarded to him if his address is known. It, therefore, rests with an elector to see that his college is in possession of his address.
§ Major WOODDoes the hon. Gentleman not think it desirable to answer the first part as to whether they cannot do what has been done in the case of the University of Cambridge, where they have a complete register in possession of the university with all the home addresses?
§ Major ASTORI will suggest that to my right hon. Friend.