HC Deb 05 February 1974 vol 868 cc1013-4
1. Mr. David Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the arrangements for registering Service voters overseas for electoral purposes.

The Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Army (Mr. Dudley Smith)

I am satisfied that Service men, at home and overseas, are given every opportunity to register. I am, however, concerned at the small proportion who do so.

Mr. Clark

I am rather astounded by the Minister's complacent answer. Does he not accept that the fact that such a low proportion of Service men who are eligible to register do so shows a fundamental weakness in the system?

Mr. Smith

There is no complacency. I agree that the system deserves careful examination and this is being done. Service men are given every opportunity to register but under existing law we have no means of compelling them to do so. However, we aim at trying to encourage them wherever possible to exercise their democratic rights.

Mr. Holland

In taking steps to improve the arrangements for registration of overseas voters, will my hon. Friend treat the matter as urgent in view of the possibility of a General Election in March 1975?

Mr. Smith

I am glad to say that the date of the next General Election is not a matter for me. However, we certainly do everything we can to encourage Service men to put their names on the register. We are examining this whole aspect with a view to deciding whether it should go forward as part of the electoral reforms which have been proposed by Mr. Speaker's conference.

Mr. John

Is there not considerable evidence to show that below the level of company commander there is a great deal of lack of information on the part of Service men about their rights in registering and how they should go about the matter? Should not another directive be sent to all commanding officers re-emphasising the duty of officers in charge of men to see that they have some awareness of their rights?

Mr. Smith

I was not aware of the point which the hon. Gentleman has raised, but I shall look into it. A directive was issued comparatively recently. It is the duty of commanding officers to draw the attention of all ranks of the Army to their rights.

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