§ 53. Mr. R. Harrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will propose the amendment of existing legislation so as to allow electors to vote when they are on holiday, and not only when they are away on business.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Major Gwilym Lloyd-George)I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer which I gave on 16th June to Questions by my hon. Friends the Members for Wembley, North (Wing Commander Bullus) and Hastings (Mr. Cooper-Key).
§ Mr. de FreitasWill the Home Secretary do nothing to increase the number of people who may vote in an Election although they may have been thousands of miles from their constituency during the whole of the Election? How can a 505 fair choice be made between the candidates, if those people are allowed to vote when they have heard and seen nothing of the campaign?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeThe question was whether we would make it easier for those on holiday to vote, and the answer which I gave on 16th June was that it would be very difficult to stop short of the line which would enable virtually anyone to vote by post. That is a step which we could not possibly take without consultation with all parties.
§ Mr. RentonIn considering this matter further, will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman not overlook the desires of those workers who may be absent on holidays with pay?