§ 19. Mr. Whitlockasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give directions to electoral registration officers that no alterations be made 651 to electoral registers after they have been published.
§ Mr. WoodhouseMy right hon. Friend is not aware of the need for such action, but he will be glad to consider any case which the hon. Gentleman may wish to bring to his notice.
§ Mr. WhitlockIs not the hon. Gentle man aware that during the South Northants by-election names were added to the register in the course of the by-election campaign? I do not suggest for a moment that this was done with anything but the best of intentions, but was it not quite illegal? Should not the hon. Gentleman take steps to ensure that the law is uniformly enforced, so that there may be public confidence in the register?
§ Mr. WoodhouseI have heard of that case and, like the hon. Member, I have no doubt that the registration officer was acting in good faith. However, I am advised that it is a question of law whether he was entitled to do what he did, and it is for the courts to settle that point of law. My right hon. Friend has no authority to issue such a direction as the hon. Gentleman presupposes.
§ Miss BaconWill not the right hon. Gentleman make some inquiry to see what did happen?
§ Mr. WoodhouseWe know exactly what happened. The question of whether it is lawful is for the courts.