§ 40. Mr. G. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department to what extent under his regulations newspaper photographers are permitted to operate inside polling booths whilst electors are casting their votes.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir Hugh Lucas-Tooth)My right hon. and learned Friend has no power to make regulations on this subject, but under the rules in the Second Schedule to the Representation of the People Act, 1949, the only persons who may be admitted to a polling station except for the purpose of voting are the candidates, their election and polling agents, the polling officials, the constables on duty and the companions of blind voters.
§ Mr. ThomasIs the Minister aware that the London "Evening Standard," on the 3rd of this month, published on the front page a photograph of one of the electors at Abingdon Street dropping her vote into the box? Will he make inquiries to find out how the Press were able to be inside this polling booth whilst the London County Council elections were in progress?
§ Sir H. Lucas-ToothI was not aware of the case to which the hon. Member refers, but I will see that it is looked into.