§ 13. Mr. Steeleasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that many young men on the last list of registered voters who are now undertaking their period of National Service are being taken off the new list and that the present methods of application by them for inclusion are unsatisfactory; and if he will so alter the Regulations as to deal with this matter.
§ Mr. SnaddenAny alteration in the method of securing registration as a Service voter would require legislation. My right hon. Friend has no information suggesting that this is necessary, but if the hon. Member will let him know what the difficulty is he will be glad to look into it.
§ Mr. SteeleIs the hon. Gentleman aware that in my constituency over 100 young men were affected in this way? One would like an explanation as to why the young men in the Services must make an application which must be attested by a commissioned officer, whereas men in the Merchant Navy do not require to do so. Furthermore, is the Minister aware that when a parent or any one interested finds that the individual is not on the register and that no application has been made by this man, by the time the necessary machinery is brought into effect it is then too late for him to be put on the register?
§ Mr. SnaddenMy information is that the Service Departments do all they can to see that the members of the Forces are aware of the conditions. I have already indicated that if the hon. Gentleman will let us have particulars of cases which he has in mind, we will certainly look at them very carefully.
§ Mr. SteeleI shall be very glad to do so.