HC Deb 12 May 1965 vol 712 cc520-3
Mr. Speaker

I have a statement to make to the House.

The Prime Minister, in reply to Parliamentary Questions on 10th November and 2nd February last, indicated that discussions were in progress with a view to possible changes in electoral law and procedure. I understand that it has now been agreed that it would be useful if this review—at any rate so far as concerns the more important questions of policy—were to be undertaken, following the precedents of 1916 and 1944, by a conference over which I should preside. The Prime Minister has invited me to preside over such a conference, and I have readily agreed to do so.

The terms of reference of the conference will be as follows: To examine and, if possible, to submit agreed resolutions on the following matters relating to parliamentary elections:— (a) Reform of the franchise, with particular reference to the minimum age for voting and registration procedure generally.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

(b) Methods of election, with particular reference to preferential voting.

Hon. Members

Hear, hear.

Mr. Speaker

I might not detain the House for so long if my observations were not greeted with such enthusiasm. (c) Conduct of elections, with particular reference to:—

  1. (i) the problem of absent voting generally.
  2. (ii) use of the official mark on ballot papers and of electoral numbers on counterfoils.
  3. (iii) polling hours.
  4. (iv) appointment of polling day as a public holiday.
  5. (v) provisions relating to undue influence.
  6. (vi) returning officers for county constituencies.
  1. (d) Election expenses generally.
  2. (e) Use of broadcasting.
  3. (f) Cost of election petitions and applications for relief.
I will acquaint the House as soon as possible of the names of those who have accepted my invitation to serve as members of the conference and also of the names of the secretaries. When this has been done, it will be open to hon. Members, party organisations and other bodies concerned to submit representations to the conference on matters falling within the terms of reference. Such representations should be sent to the secretaries at the Committee Office, House of Commons.

The Home Secretary has asked me to say that, simultaneously with the setting up of the Conference on Electoral Law under my chairmanship, he will, in agreement with the Secretary of State for Scotland, be convening his Electoral Advisory Conference—a body consisting of representatives of Government Departments, registration officers and acting returning officers and the political parties.

The Electoral Advisory Conference will be invited to consider detailed questions of election procedure which fall more properly within its scope than within that of the conference over which I shall preside.

Dame Irene Ward

May I ask a question relating to your statement, Mr. Speaker?

Mr. Speaker

Yes.

Dame Irene Ward

Will it be possible, in connection with the terms of reference of the conference, for hon. Members to put forward points on certain aspects of electoral reform which have not been covered in the terms which you read out? Is it not rather difficult, your having just read them out, for hon. Members to have to agree with them without them knowing whether they are sufficiently comprehensive?

Mr. Speaker

Although it sounds discourteous, I do not think that the hon. Lady is at this moment invited to agree or disagree. The only way in which I am able to tell her what the terms of reference are is, first, by reading them, and I hope that they will be reported, and, after that, it will be for the conference to interpret its own terms of reference. I am sorry to have to be so unhelpful, but that is the position.

Mr. Maxwell

Is Northern Ireland excluded from these discussions, Mr. Speaker? If so, why?

Mr. Speaker

They are not discussions. This is a conference which will consider the matter within its terms of reference. I imagine that this comprises the whole area to which the existing electoral laws of the country apply.

Mr. Stainton

On a point of order. I was rather confused by your reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Tynemouth (Dame Irene Ward).

Dame Irene Ward

Thank you.

Mr. Stainton

Is this a sort of take-it-or-leave-it matter or could the House, if it wished, reverse what is stated in the document which you read out, Mr. Speaker, or are we merely landed with the details announced from the Chair?

Mr. Speaker

I suppose that the hon. Gentleman could table a Motion seeking a revision of the terms of reference, but I could not personally do more than what I just did on a matter of agreement between the parties which gives rise to the terms of reference on which I am supposed to work the conference and preside over it. That is the position.