§ 23. Major-General Sir Alfred Knoxasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will place in the Library an estimate of the present electorate in Parliamentary constituencies.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)The statement already placed in the Library includes figures showing the estimated number of electors in each constituency in 1941. To prepare a new estimate for 1944 would, I am informed, involve a very great expenditure of labour, which it would be most desirable in present circumstances to avoid.
§ Sir A. KnoxDoes the right hon. Gentleman not agree that it is difficult to put up suggestions regarding the boundaries of divisions unless the people know, more or less, what the present population is? In many constituencies it has gone down since 1941.
§ Mr. MorrisonIf the hon. and gallant Gentleman has any particular case in mind, I will endeavour to arrange that the information shall be conveyed to the right quarters, if it is available, but to make a general return about 1944, as distinct from 1941, would involve a great deal of work.
31. Mr. Coleģateasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is in a position to indicate the steps taken so far by the Service Departments and the Ministry of War Transport to implement Section 10 of the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonThe necessary administrative arrangements to enable members of the Forces and merchant seamen to qualify for registration in accordance with the provisions of the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act are in an advanced state of preparation, and I understand that the Departments concerned hope to begin the distribution of the necessary declaration cards at an early date.