24. Mr. Driberģasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to ensure that British prisoners of war returning to this country between now and the General Election will not be deprived of their right to vote because they have been unable to complete the service electoral registration forms by the appointed day.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonSection 20 of the Representation of the People Act provides that an electoral declaration by a member of the Forces who has been a prisoner of war, if endorsed to this effect, will entitle him to be included in a service register provided the declaration is received not later than four clear days before nomination day. The Service Departments have taken steps to give effect to this provision.
Mr. DriberģWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask him whether the provisions are being made known to the prisoners of war, or whether they will automatically he made known to them on their return to this country?
§ Mr. MorrisonMy hon. Friend will, of course, appreciate that it is not too easy to let them know as things are, but steps have been taken to see that, immediately they are released, they shall be informed.