HC Deb 20 July 1936 vol 315 cc5-7
8. Mr. SORENSEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India, whether he is aware that one category of electors in Bombay, in order to be placed on the register, are required to produce rent receipts prior to 31st March, 1935; that many tenants who have not kept old receipts and cannot secure duplicates from landlords will, therefore, not be enrolled; that those in another category are called upon to produce a matriculation certificate and many of them have not preserved such a certificate and would be disqualified; and whether he will take steps to see that these obligations for registration are suspended or withdrawn.

Mr. BUTLER

Where a qualification is rental of a house or land of a certain value, the registering authorities must have documentary proof that the would-be voter actually possesses the qualification. I am not aware of the precise nature of the proof required in Bombay. But I understand that it is unusual for a tenant not to preserve his rent receipts. As regards the second part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 6th July to the hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr. Morgan Jones).

Mr. SORENSEN

Has the hon. Gentleman seen a copy of the "Times of India" of 9th June this year, in which this newspaper, which cannot be accused of anti-British sympathies, draws attention to what it calls serious anomalies and ambiguities, and will he take steps to try at least to secure that those who should be entitled to the franchise, in view of what has happened, secure what is their due?

Mr. BUTLER

I agree that it is very desirable that all those who are qualified should come upon the electoral roll, and I understand that the Government of Bombay, which is concerned in this case, is taking steps to see that as many as are qualified are brought on to the roll if they can prove their qualifications.

Mr. SORENSEN

Will the hon. Gentleman inquire very closely into this matter, and does he not agree that none of the electors who may be disqualified by these ambiguous and somewhat ridiculous disqualifications should in fact lose their qualification?

Mr. BUTLER

While making the reservation that the Government must be sure that those who vote have the required qualifications, I will certainly bring the hon. Gentleman's question and my answer to the attention of the Government.

Mr. MORGAN JONES

How can it be doubted that a person who has passed the B.A. Intermediate Examination has a matriculation certificate?

Mr. BUTLER

As I informed the hon. Member last week, I think it was, the universities are taking steps to issue matriculation certificates so that there can be no possible doubt that those applying for the vote have the necessary qualifications.