HC Deb 19 October 1950 vol 478 cc2209-10
17. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he has considered the suggestion that, to reduce the risk of personation at elections, the National Registry should notify electoral registration officers of deaths of persons included in the register of voters, and the register be marked accordingly; and what decision he has reached in the matter.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

Arrangements are already in force to enable electoral registration officers to receive such notifications, but I cannot require that the register should be marked as suggested.

Mr. Keeling

Is the Home Secretary aware that the increased facilities for postal voting, combined with the issue of an official polling card, have increased the risk of personation?

Mr. Ede

They may have increased the risk of personation, but I do not think that they have decreased the risk of death.