HC Deb 28 April 1955 vol 540 cc1044-5
5. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to enable electors attending an assembly of the established Churches in England and Scotland to appoint a proxy when such assemblies coincide with polling day for an Election.

Major Lloyd-George

I regret that I can hold out no prospect of legislation on these lines.

Mr. Rankin

Could the Home Secretary not elaborate on that somewhat brief answer, in view of the fact that this matter is creating a good deal of concern in Scotland at the present time?

Major Lloyd-George

I would like to do so if I could, but here again I am bound entirely by legislation which has been passed by this House. Certain definite categories are laid down—for example, people who are sick and those, such as engine drivers, who, because of their occupations, have to be away. Those are all specified, and it is within the discretion of the registration officer, as laid down by this House, to grant permission.

Captain Duncan

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that there is a good deal of dissatisfaction in connection with the Assembly of the Church of Scotland in Edinburgh? Some of the electoral registration officers are refusing postal votes to the ministers who have to attend, because it is a statutory meeting called on orders from the Queen.

Major Lloyd-George

Here again I can do no other than act according to the law. It is within the discretion of the registration officer to grant permission or otherwise, and from his decision, of course, there is a right of appeal.

Mr. Rankin

While I recognise that all the judicial machinery is contained in the Act, for the operation of which the right hon. and gallant Gentleman is responsible, is he aware that there is a good deal of perturbation as to the way in which that machinery is being used? Could he not meet the difficulty in this particular case by the laying of an Order?

Major Lloyd-George

I speak subject to correction, but I do not think that would be possible. It would not be an easy matter to draw the line as to who could or could not vote by post. One could get into the position that an enormous number of people were voting by post, which I do not think would be in the best interests of democracy, which already places a very heavy burden on registration officers.