§ 61. Mr. Alportasked the Minister of Defence if he is aware that the complicated nature of the present Services registration and voting procedures had the effect of disfranchising a large number of members of the Forces during the recent General Election; and what steps he proposes to take to simplify these procedures in the immediate future.
§ Mr. ShinwellAs I informed the House last week, I am not aware of any general defect in the Services registration or voting procedure, but if the hon. Member has any evidence to the contrary I shall be glad to have it investigated.
§ Mr. AlportHas the right hon. Gentleman read and studied War Office document 2211, which sets out the registration 401 and voting procedure, and which is an extremely complicated document? It makes it extremely difficult for any unit commander to understand clearly his responsibility, or any soldier to understand his responsibility in this matter.
§ Mr. ShinwellI think that underrates the intelligence of the average officer. The trouble does not arise from any lack of intelligence on the part of those in authority, but from the fact that the men do not take advantage of the opportunities provided.
§ Mr. KeelingHas the right hon. Gentleman seen the notice about voting issued by the Navy for exhibition on ships' notice boards, which contains about 10,000 words? Does he think that any naval officer or rating would ever try to read any notice like that, and is not that a defect?
§ Mr. ShinwellI will inquire about the notice, to see whether it contains those many words.
§ Brigadier HeadIs the Minister aware that there is a genuine misunderstanding and failure in this matter, and can he give the House an assurance that he will look into it before the next election?
§ Mr. ShinwellCertainly, Sir. I am looking into it just now.