20. Sir GEORGE HAMILTONasked the Home Secretary whether he will take steps to provide that, when a Member of Parliament living in one constituency is fighting another constituency some distance away, he and his family shall be registered as absent voters; and is he aware that the registration officers refuse to register such absent voters?
§ Mr. CLYNESI am aware that registration officers refuse claims made by candidates at Parliamentary elections or members of their families, in the circumstances mentioned, to be placed on the absent voters' list, but legislation would be required to enable this to be done and at present I am not in a position to promise a Bill for the purpose.
Sir G. HAMILTONIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a Member of Parliament fighting for his seat in the 186 South of England, while, say, living in the North of England, is in exactly the same position as a commercial traveller who is allowed to be registered?
§ Mr. CLYNESI can only say that I am not aware of the possibility. I am not a traveller myself, but I do not think that all people would agree as to the similarity.
§ Mr. MARDY JONESIs it not a fact that when the law in this matter was carried through this House by the late Tory Government an Amendment on those lines was moved, and was refused by that Government?