HC Deb 22 June 1936 vol 313 cc1399-400
5. Mr. SORENSEN

asked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether, seeing that under the regulations for elections to Provincial Legislatures those entitled to vote on the basis of literary qualifications are required to take the initiative in being placed on the electoral roll, he will recommend that the possible disfranchisement of many electors be avoided by the amendment of rules so that all those qualified to vote in this respect are duly placed on the register by a similar process to that prevailing in this country?

Mr. BUTLER

The adoption of the hon. Member's suggestion would involve amendment of the Government of India Act and could not be effected by provision in the electoral rules. The decision to make dependent on application the enrolment of voters on the basis of certain qualifications was taken after full discussion in the House a year ago, and I cannot, therefore, hold out hopes of making any alteration.

Mr. SORENSEN

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that it is estimated that many millions will be disfranchised through the operation of the present procedure; and, in view of that, will he make some representations with a view to securing that those who should be on the electoral roll are placed there by some more expeditious method?

Mr. BUTLER

I am aware of the anxiety of the hon. Member and others on this subject. When the matter was under consideration we consulted the Provincial Governments and went as far as it was administratively possible to go. I am afraid that we cannot go any further. Certain concessions were made in the House when we discussed the matter.

Mr. SORENSEN

That means, in effect, that we can have no hope held out of an improvement in the position?

Mr. LENNOX-BOYD

Is it not a fact that if there is a real desire for a democratic constitution in India, they will take these steps themselves?

Mr. BUTLER

The answer to the secondary supplementary is in the affirmative. In regard to the first one, the hon. Member may rest assured that in the circumstances we have done as much as can be done. If the hon. Member will consult the Government of India Act—I will be pleased to refer him to the Section—he will see that after a certain period it will be possible for representations to be made by the legislatures themselves.