§ 47. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Prime Minister whether he will consider the desirability of amending the law so as to enable invalids and inmates of hospitals to exercise the franchise at Parliamentary and other elections by a method similar to that applicable to sailors at sea?
Mr. LOCKER-LAMPSONI have been asked to reply. So far as I am aware, this is a new suggestion, and I have no information to show that there is any demand for an alteration of the existing Act on these lines. The present system of absent voters is not applicable to persons who are absent from their homes at the time of an election casually and not as a regular consequence of their employment, and there would obviously be great difficulties in providing for such cases. I will have the point noted, however, for consideration in connection with any reconsideration of the system.