HC Deb 23 March 1944 vol 398 c1043
56. Mr. Mander

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he is now able to state when the new register under the Parliament (Elections and Meetings) Act, 1943, will be in operation.

Mr. H. Morrison

As I indicated on 27th January, the new registration system cannot come into force until two months after the material transferred from national registration officers to electoral registration officers has been sorted and arranged. At my request the electoral registration officers are dealing with this rather formidable task as speedily as possible, and in some areas this preliminary work has already been completed. In other areas, owing to lack of staff and other difficulties, progress has inevitably been slower. I hope, however, that the initial process may be completed in all areas before the end of next month.

Mr. Mander

Does not my right hon. Friend believe that this reform will bring bigger and better by-elections, and will he therefore hurry it on?

Mr. Morrison

The Government always hope for the best from by-elections.

Mr. Cocks

Is it not a fact that hundreds of thousands of young people are eager to express their confidence in the Prime Minister and their disgust at some of the reactionary duds that surround him?