§ 35. Mr. Hugh Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department in how many parliamentary divisions the returning officers are in a position to state the approximate number of Service men and women whose names have been placed on the register of voters.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Herbert Morrison)No doubt the Electoral Registration Officers could get out these figures, but, as I told the hon. Member last week, I am reluctant 1919 to add to their work by calling for special returns at a time when they are under heavy pressure to ensure that their records are as complete as possible by the date from which the new arrangements will operate, and when fresh batches of declarations are reaching them from day to day.
§ Mr. LawsonMay I ask the Home Secretary if he has inquired of any of the returning officers whether they can give an approximate idea of the progress of this registration without involving any great amount of labour?
§ Mr. MorrisonI dare say I could, but it really is a choice between getting on with the job and getting much more done, and making inquiries in order to answer the hon. Member's Question, and, on the whole, I would sooner get the job done.
§ Mr. ThorneWhat method is adopted in order to get the men overseas placed upon the register?
§ Mr. MorrisonThey fill up forms which come to this end, and they are allocated to the appropriate constituencies and registered. I think that that is how it is done.