HC Deb 08 July 1943 vol 390 c2235
17. Mr. Mander

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider the advisability of making the new Parliamentary Register available for local elections and of arranging for the resumption of such elections, either by or annual, whether on the new Register or that now existing in any new legislation introduced on the subject?

Mr. H. Morrison

The circumstances have not changed since I answered a Question put to me in April last by my hon. Friend the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) about the resumption of local elections. The negative answer I then gave still applies. I will send my hon. Friend a copy of it.

Mr. Mander

Will my right hon. Friend undertake to give careful consideration to this problem before proposing further legislation postponing local elections in the autumn?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir, I will, but not with a great deal of hopefulness. If my hon. Friend will refer to the speech I made on the subject last year, I think he will find some material points. I will certainly give it consideration.

Mr. Holdsworth

Will the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind that the Committee were unanimous as to the undesirability of an election during war-time?

Mr. Morrison

Yes, Sir.