§ 21. Mr. E. H. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that, although the right to vote by post is not restricted to persons in the United Kingdom, an applicant for this right has to name an address in the United Kingdom to which a ballot paper is to be sent; and whether, to save the delay entailed by redirection from such address to a place of residence abroad, he will propose that the law shall be altered.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI doubt whether any general scheme for voting by post from abroad would be practicable. Certain classes of absent voters who may be abroad at the time of an election are, however, entitled to vote by proxy. The question whether this right should be 2543 extended, or any other changes made, will be considered if an opportunity arises for amending legislation.
§ Mr. KeelingI am much obliged.
§ 22. Mr. Keelingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that the form of application to vote by post owing to change of residence implies without statutory authority that the new address of residence is in the United Kingdom; and whether he will alter the form.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeThe form will be altered at the next printing.