§ 65. Mr. FREDERICK MARTINasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that at the recent General Election many hundreds of Scottish fishermen were disfranchised owing to the fact that they were at the time absent from their own constituencies, being engaged in the pursuit of their calling at English fishing ports; and whether he will be prepared so to amend the Representation of the People Act as to enable fishermen temporarily absent from home at the date of a Parliamentary Election to record their votes for the constituencies in which they are registered?
§ The FIRST COMMISSIONER of WORKS (Sir John Baird)I have been asked to reply on behalf of the Secretary for Scotland, who has received representations to the effect indicated in the first part of the question. It is regretted that these fishermen should have been unable to record their votes, but the Representation of the People Act makes provision to meet the case of fishermen and others who are liable to be absent from home at the time of an Election. Such persons can claim to be placed on the absent voters' list, and if placed on that list can vote by post or proxy. It does not therefore appear to my Noble, Friend that any amendment of the Act is required.
§ Mr. MARTINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the difficulty would be obviated, and the general interest secured if Prime Ministers would in future select summer time for the date of General Elections?