§ 1. Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is satisfied that all young persons under the age of 21 years and who are eligible have been included in the new electoral register and if he will make a statement.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Norman Buchan)I am satisfied that everything possible was done, both during the canvass and by publicity during the period for claims and objections, to obtain the names of A eligible young persons qualified for inclusion.
The statutory provisions governing the compilation of the register do not make it possible to identify in it any age group except that of persons who are under 18 years of age when it comes into force; namely, on 16th February.
§ Mr. Buchanan-SmithAre the reports true that up to one-third or nearly 100,000 young voters did not appeal on the provisional register in November? Can tie hon. Gentleman say how many of them have since been registered as a result of the appeals?
§ Mi. BuchanIn one of our cities, some 8,000 came in as a result of the appeals. Therefore, there has been a response. It is not possible at this stage to make a reliable estimate. I think that the figure which the hon. Gentleman suggests will turn out to be too high.