Electoral Registers (Distribution)

HC Deb 16 April 1970 vol 799 cc1560-1

16. Mr. Peter M. Jackson

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will advise returning officers to restrict the distribution of the electoral register to bona fide political organisations.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The difficulties of definition and enforcement which make it impracticable to amend the regulations in the sense proposed were explained in a debate on 26th March.

Mr. Jackson

I appreciate my hon. Friend's difficulties. He will recall that I was present on the occasion to which he refers and made a particular contribution. Is my right hon. Friend aware of the consequences of doing nothing? Certain parents are reluctant to enter their sons and daughters on the register, particularly when they are identified as being only 18 years old. Is it possible to withhold that information from the register and merely give it to the returning officer on polling day?

Mr. Rees

By its very nature the register is a public document. I should not like to have to add up how many of these documents are floating around in different houses as a result of the elections last week—perfectly reputably obtained by voluntary people in all political parties. This is the nature of the job. It is difficult to question someone about the source or sources from which they got the names.

Last year we discussed the definition of a political party. We saw in local elections that all kinds of people can classify themselves in this way and get the documents.

Sir G. Nabarro

Whatever the difficulties, does the hon. Gentleman realise that a large number of Members of this House, myself included, are inundated with complaints from constituents about documents, said to be obscene or pornographic in character, which are meticulously addressed to men and women of all ages, notably including youngsters, the information for which could only have been derived from these documents? Will he examine the matter further?

Mr. Rees

According to a small investigation that I have had carried out, it is possible for some of these addresses to be obtained in other ways. There are private organisations that canvass for addresses. The hon. Gentleman might think that they come from the register, but nothing that he has said can prove it in a court of law. It is important to consider the matter when we investigate privacy, because pornographic literature coming through doors is a real problem. However, I do not agree that it can be tied to the electoral register.