HC Deb 09 August 1920 vol 133 cc189-90

(1) Section twenty-three of the principal Act shall have effect as though the following Sub-section were substituted for Sub-section (4) thereof:— (4) Any person whose name is entered on the absent voters list, on satisfying the Registration Officer as to the bona fides of the statement that there is a probability that such person will at the time of a parliamentary election be at sea or out of the United Kingdom, shall be entitled if he so desires to appoint a proxy, and having appointed a proxy to vote by proxy in accordance with and subject to the provisions of this Act. No ballot paper shall be sent for the purpose of voting by post to a person who has appointed a proxy under this provision while the appointment is in force, or to any person unless the address of that person recorded by the registration officer is an address in the United Kingdom. The provisions set out in the Third Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to voting by proxy.

(2) The Third Schedule to the principal Act shall have effect as though the following paragraph were substituted for paragraph 4:— 4. A proxy paper, unless cancelled, shall remain in force so long as the elector continues to be registered in respect of the same qualification, and to be on the absent voters list.

Lords Amendment:

In Sub-section (1, "4") leave out the words "on satisfying the Registration Officer as to the bona fides of the statement," and insert "and who makes a statement in the prescribed form."

The MINISTER of HEALTH (Dr. Addison)

I beg to move, "That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment."

All the Lords Amendments, in which I ask the House to agree, are, with the exception of the proposed new Sub-section (3), purely verbal and drafting Amendments.

Lords Amendments:

In Sub-section (1, "4") leave out the words "such person" and insert "he."

After the word "Kingdom" ["United Kingdom"] insert "and satisfies the registration officer as to the bona fides of such statement."

In Sub-section (1), at the end, insert a new Sub-section— ("(3) Any proxy paper in force at the date of the commencement of this Act shall continue in force as though it had been issued under the principal Act as amended by this Act.")

Agreed to.