HC Deb 06 June 1932 vol 266 cc1567-8
8. Major-General Sir ALFRED KNOX

asked the Secretary of State for India what wag the total electorate and the percentage of the electorate that polled in the last general election to the legislative assembly in India?

Sir S. HOARE

As the reply contains a number of figures I will, if I may, circulate it.

Sir A. KNOX

Will the right hon. Gentleman state what the general percentage was throughout India?

Sir S. HOARE

Approximately 26 per cent.

Sir A. KNOX

Has the right hon. Gentleman any hope that the thousands of new candidates who are to stand next year will be able to drag a larger percentage of the tens of millions of new voters to the poll?

Mr. T. WILLIAMS

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether any improved facilities are to be afforded before a future election of the kind takes place?

Sir S. HOARE

I think that the hon. Member had better study the Franchise report. He will see certain suggestions made in it bearing upon the point he has just asked me about. As regards the question of my hon. and gallant Friend, one goes on hoping.

Sir ERNEST BENNETT

Is it not a fact that in the North-West Frontier Province the vote rose to 70 per cent. of the electorate?

Sir S. HOARE

It is certainly a great deal higher than the figure I have here.

Folio wing is the reply:

At the last general election to the Legislative Assembly, in 1930, the total electorate was 1,212,172. Of these 468,491 were called upon to record their votes in contested constituencies. The number of votes polled was 124,853, representing approximately 26 per cent. of the voters who were actually called upon to vote.