HC Deb 02 May 1944 vol 399 cc1187-90
28. Mr. Hugh Lawson

asked the Secretary of State for War if he will devote an early issue of the bulletin of the A.B.C.A. to the procedure of voting by proxy, the absent voters register and the rights of Service personnel under the Representation of the People Act.

34 and 35. Sir Richard Acland

asked the Secretary of State for War (1) what date has been fixed by which men serving in the Army must complete Army Form B. 2626 in order to be put on the absent voters' list or to be enabled to vote by proxy;

(2) why approximately four months were allowed to elapse between the passage of the Parliament Elections and Meetings Act and the issue of A.C.I. 483 and Army Form B. 2626.

Sir J. Grigg

As hon. Members are, no doubt, aware, the machinery set up by the Army, and indeed by the three Services for enabling officers and other ranks to be placed on the new Parliamentary Register is intended to carry out the provisions of the Parliament (Elections and Meeting) Act, 1943. The terms of the Act seem to me to be inconsistent with compulsory registration. They are certainly inconsistent with automatic registration. The soldier must under the Act be registered in a particular constituency and short of a declaration by the man himself there is no means of identifying that constituency. Moreover the Act enables a proxy to be appointed by the voter and that appointment can only be made by the man himself. Unless a man appoints a proxy, he may very well be unable to record his vote owing to being abroad at the time of an election.

But though compulsory or automatic registration is impossible the Army is giving effective opportunity to soldiers to exercise their rights and indeed is doing a good deal to persuade them of the importance of doing so. An Army Council Instruction, a Notice Board Information and a pamphlet explaining what is involved and what must be done was issued on 1st April to all units. In addition, a short article entitled "Your Vote and how to cast it," as a suitable subject for a talk, was included in issue No. 69 of the A.B.C.A. production "War" of which a copy has been placed in the Library of this House. Two talks have also been given by the B.B.C. on this subject. And I will certainly consider what further measures are possible and desirable.

In answer to the hon. Baronet's suggestion that the War Office was slow in getting out its instructions I would point out that although the Act was passed on 11th November the Electoral Registration Regulations which prescribe the form of the declaration to be made by members of the Forces were not approved by this House until 16th December. It was then necessary to print some millions of copies of the form of declaration, to produce, in agreement with the Home Office and the other Service Departments, a pamphlet of instructions and to send supplies of the form and the pamphlet to commands overseas. These preparations had to be completed before the Army Council Instruction referred to could be complied with and the date of its issue was arranged accordingly. The answer to the hon. Baronet's other Question is that no such date has been fixed. Soldiers can complete the form at any time but they have been advised to do this as soon as possible.

Mr. H. Lawson

Is the right hon. Gentleman sure that the A.B.C.A. pamphlet dealing with this question, which he said was issued some time ago, has actually been brought to the notice of all ranks, in all units?

Sir J. Grigg

The A.B.C.A. pamphlet to which my hon. Friend refers was issued on 29th April, not some time ago. I have not the slightest doubt that by that means, and by the other means I have described, and by any other means we may be able to invent in the future, this matter will be brought reasonably to the notice of all ranks.

Sir R. Acland

In view of the very full and friendly reply given by my right hon. Friend, could I ask whether he or one of his officials, especially responsible for this matter, would meet one or two of us who are interested in it for a short time this week?

Sir J. Grigg

I will certainly consider that.

Mr. W. J. Brown

In view of the fact that registration of the civilian population on the new register will be automatic, why cannot it be automatic in the case of the soldier?

Sir J. Grigg

Because this House has determined otherwise.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that when the Bill was presented to this House, an assurance was given that the heads of Departments had promised co-operation in ensuring full registration of the personnel of the Army? Is not the suggestion which the right hon. Gentleman now makes one of the Army contracting in instead of being registered automatically whether they vote by proxy or not?

Sir J. Grigg

Not at all. The Bill certainly provides for voluntary registration. An obligation cannot be placed upon commanding officers to cause men to register; it would be contrary to the terms of the Act. We are, however, perfectly ready to listen to any additional suggestions for helping the present process. What the Army is trying to do is to see that every man is given effective opportunity to exercise his rights and that all the necessary procedure is brought effectively to his notice.

Mr. Pritt

Would the right hon. Gentleman also consider inducing commanding officers, where practicable, to devote a lecture to this specific purpose? Is he aware that some of the officers are doing that already, and will he encourage them further?

Sir J. Grigg

I thought I had made it clear that an A.B.C.A. number had been issued and that a suggestion had been made that it should be used as a basis for a talk.