HC Deb 18 November 1976 vol 919 cc1551-2
10. Mr. Walters

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will extend postal voting for parish and town councils.

Mr. John

No, Sir. The extra costs Involved could not be justified in present circumstances.

Mr. Walters

Would not the Minister agree that it is desirable to make it as easy as possible for people to participate in parish elections, and that as the same ballot papers can be used for town and parish elections as for district elections the extra cost would be very limited? Therefore, should not amending legislation be introduced?

Mr. John

I believe that one could do something to combine the necessary forms. Nevertheless, the hon. Gentleman is mistaken in thinking that the amount of extra expenditure would be inconsiderable. With the present evidence of turn-out at these elections, it would not be justified.

Mr. Madden

Would not my hon. Friend agree that there is dissatisfaction when postal votes are available for district council elections but not for parish and town council elections, which are often held on the same day? Can he tell us what the increased cost would be? There is mounting concern about this. If we want to extend democracy, we should do everything possible to enable people to participate in all elections.

Mr. John

I accept that our aim is to make participation in local elections as widespread as is possible and to take account of the problem. But because there would be differing postal registrations, even were I to accede to the principle which hon. Gentlemen have proclaimed this afternoon, there would still be a great opportunity not only for mistakes in counting but confusion in registration.

Mr. Marten

Following the Minister's argument about low turn-out, am I right in assuming that there will be no postal voting in the unhappy event of our having to go through direct elections to the European Parliament? The turn-out for that is likely to be even lower than in the worst boroughs in this country.

Mr. John

What the hon. Gentleman and I may speculate about the turn-out at those elections would perhaps not be universally accepted in the House.