§ 29. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, why no advice has been given to electoral registration officers as to where young persons in full-time education at school or university should be registered.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesA memorandum of guidance, dealing with this among other matters, was issued to electoral registration officers on 22nd July. In accordance with my undertaking given on 2nd July, copies have been placed in the Library.
§ 36. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to ensure that when the electoral register is compiled in October, 1969 all persons in dwellings in multiple occupancy are included.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesForm A, the form sent to householders in connection with the canvass for the electoral register, includes a question specifically designed to elicit whether in any promises there are separate households which need to be approached. Attention is specially drawn to this in the memorandum of guidance issued by the Home Office to electoral registration officers.
§ Mr. HooleyMultiple occupancy is often a characteristic of student lodgings. Since the qualifying age at elections is now reduced to 18, could not further steps be taken to ensure that a proper, full register is compiled?
§ Mr. ReesI can only advise my hon. Friend that under Section 7 of the 1969 Act it is the general duty of a registration officer to take reasonable steps to obtain information requited by him for the purpose. It is his statutory responsibility.