§ 8. Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, in cases where printer's errors, which are admitted by the electoral registration officer, have occurred in voters' lists, so disfranchising some electors, he will authorise the immediate issue of a supplementary register correcting these errors.
§ Mr. HurdHave the county councils—the electoral authorities—power to do this if the Minister gave them guidance?
§ Mr. EdeNo, I do not think that they have. If the hon. Gentleman has in mind any particular difficulty that is arising and if he will let me know what it is, I will see if it is possible to do anything practical.
§ Mr. HurdSurely the Minister must have received complaints from other counties where, owing to printer's errors, electors have been omitted from this list?
§ 9. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that Form A for the Spring Register of Electors, 1950, is being sent to the same persons at their respective residences in different constituencies; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the principle of "one man, one vote" will be safeguarded.
§ Mr. EdeThere is nothing in the law to prevent a person with residence qualifications in two different constituencies 2170 from being registered in both. The principle of "one man, one vote" is safeguarded by the fact that it is an offence to vote more than once at a General Election.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeThat is all very well, but does my right hon. Friend really trust those foolish people who are determined at all costs and in any way to get rid of His Majesty's present Government, to obey the law and to do the right thing in this matter?
§ Mr. EdeIf there are any people with such malign opinions and they attempt to exercise them in this way, the law will deal with them.