HC Deb 14 April 1920 vol 127 c1683
Major MORRISON-BELL

(by Private Notice)asked the Minister Of Health whether he was in a position to state what steps the Government intended to take to eliminate the long period elapsing between the casting of the votes at an election and the declaration of the poll?

Dr. ADDISON

The Government have decided to bring in a Bill for abolishing the interval between the poll and the counting of the votes. They will propose that the system of voting by post should be limited to the United Kingdom, and that proxy voting should be permitted in all other areas. Some slight modifications of the present minimum periods between the receipt of the writ and the poll may be necessary in the case of by-elections. The Bill is in preparation, and I hope to be in a position to introduce it at an early date.

Lieut.-Colonel A. C. MURRAY

Will that include a system of alternative voting?

Mr. W. THORNE

When the proposals have been drafted I take it they will include provisions for the soldiers and sailors to have the same opportunities of voting as they have now?

Dr. ADDISON

We are trying to secure that end.