§ 76. Mr. FRANK LEEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has now completed his promised inquiry into the complaints raised concerning the stamping or non-stamping of voting papers at the General Election by the presiding officials, which resulted in the rejection of many votes otherwise good; and whether he is now prepared to advise that a perforating stamp or one requiring the use of ink should be provided?
§ Mr. G. LOCKER-LAMPSONMy right hon. Friend has now completed inquiries in this matter. The stamping instruments used in North-East Derbyshire and a number of other constituencies at the last General Election have been carefully examined, and it is found that the instruments, assuming they were used with ordinary care, could not have been responsible for the absence of the official mark on ballot papers. In the circumstances my right hon. Friend does not think there is any sufficient reason for incurring the very considerable expense of providing stamping instruments of a different kind from those now in use. He is, however, considering what action can be taken to prevent the loss of votes at elections on account of the absence of the official mark on ballot papers.