§ 9. Mr. Evelyn Kingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has to prevent those engaged in the hotel and tourist industry in seaside resorts who habitually take their holidays in October from being disfranchised when elections are held in that month.
§ 16. Mr. Ridleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will review the whole system of postal voting and bring in legislation to improve it.
§ 20 and 21. Mr. Frank Allaunasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will help electors at future elections by taking steps to permit candidates to name their parties on the ballot paper;
602 (2) if he will help electors at future elections by taking steps to require candidates to name their parties on the ballot paper where there is more than on candidate with the same surname.
§ 38 and 39. Mr. Fisherasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) whether he will seek to extend postal votes to those away on holiday at election time;
(2) whether, in view of increased costs, he will take steps to increase the maximum permitted expenditure on election expenses.
§ Sir F. SoskiceThese matters are being considered as part of a general review of electoral law which we are undertaking.
§ Mr. KingIs the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, as the popularity of October for general elections grows, so also does indignation in Weymouth and other seaside resorts? Can he give any indication of when a Government Bill might be introduced? If that is difficult, would he consider giving aid and comfort to any private Member who is fortunate enough to be able to introduce a Bill on the subject referred to in my Question?
§ Sir F. SoskiceI am afraid that I can go no further than the assurance I just gave. But I will certainly press on with these matters. I wish I could give the hon. Member aid and comfort, but I feel I could not promise that particular aid and comfort.
§ Mr. AllaunWill the Home Secretary bear in mind that many electors, although they are certain which party they wish to support, sometimes forget the candidate's name? On 15th October in Anglesey three of the four candidates were Jones, Jones and Jones.
§ Sir F. SoskiceI can well understand that the coincidence of circumstances of that sort may give rise to considerable embarrassment and that, if possible, we should avoid it.
§ Mr. RidleyWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman bear in mind the great increase in the mobility of labour and the very large number of people who, for business, holiday or for one reason or another, have to be away? Does he not agree that it is essential 603 that this matter is put right before the next election in order not to disfranchise a large proportion of the population?
§ Sir F. SoskiceI would readily agree that that is obviously a relevant consideration which must be carefully weighed.
§ Mr. DribergWhen my right hon. and learned Friend refers to the review which, I gather, he and his Department are undertaking, is he also referring to the all-party talks on electoral reform which the Prime Minister indicated last week would be initiated shortly. Or is he only referring to the latter?
§ Sir F. SoskiceWhen I used the word "review" I was speaking of the Departmental review which I am conducting with my advisers. That would be preliminary to the further step advocated by my hon. Friend.