HC Deb 24 May 1944 vol 400 c733
32. Mr. Quintin Hogg

asked the First Lord of the Admiralty what information he has regarding the numbers of officers and men in the R.N. who have applied for registration for the Parliamentary franchise.

Mr. Alexander

I regret that it would not be practicable to keep a record of the numbers of officers and men who have applied for registration.

Mr. Hogg

Has my right hon. Friend drawn the attention of the officers and men to the fact that, even if they are on the old Register, they will not get the vote unless they complete these arrangements; and has he satisfied himself that a reasonable proportion are, in fact, taking this course?

Mr. Alexander

The fact is that the Admiralty are taking particular steps to try to make this Act a success. Officers are specially detailed to explain the provisions of the 1943 Act. Of course, we cannot exercise any compulsion upon either officer or man to make his application. In the case of ratings in shore establishments, we do not know, with regard to large numbers of them, whether they have applied or not.

Mr. Hogg

Has my right hon. Friend no information on how this application is going? Has he no information at all to tell the Hause?

Mr. Alexander

That is not the Question on the Paper.