HC Deb 24 May 1944 vol 400 cc728-9
25. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the Secretary of State for Air what information he has regarding the number of officers and men in the R.A.F. who have so far completed the arrangements to apply for the Parliamentary franchise.

Sir A. Sinclair

None, Sir; no record is kept of the number of officers and airmen of the Royal Air Force who have applied for registration under the Parliament (Elections and Meetings) Act.

Mr. Hogg

Does my right hon. Friend realise that the distribution of the application cards has not been satisfactory? Does he also realise that nobody will get a vote in the Forces, even if he was on the old Register, unless he applies under this procedure?

Sir A. Sinclair

Those are very different points from the points in my hon. Friend's Question. If he has any evidence that there is anything unsatisfactory about the distribution of cards, I shall be very glad if he will give it to me. My only anxiety is to make this distribution as successful as I can.

Mr. Bellenger

As a central Register is to be prepared of Service voters, will the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions in his Department that statistics shall be kept of those registered, so that we can put questions to ensure that the R.A.F., at least, shall be properly brought on to the Register?

Sir A. Sinclair

No, Sir, that is an obligation which Parliament, in its wisdom, did not place upon the Service. Registration has already started.