5. Mr. J. Enoch Powellasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proportion of the votes cast by post in June 1983 in each of the constituencies of Northern Ireland were on grounds of (a) removal, (b) physical disability and (c) all other grounds.
§ Mr. ScottAs the answer is in the form of a tabular statement I shall, with permission Mr. Speaker, arrange for it to be published in the Official Report.
Mr. PowellAssuming that postal votes in respect of removal are only a very small proportion of the total, does the hon. Gentleman agree that in this context the scope for abuse is exceedingly limited?
§ Mr. ScottYes. I will clarify that figure. The average throughout Northern Ireland of postal votes for that purpose is about 3.6 per cent. I remind the right hon. Gentleman of the undertaking given by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department on the Second Reading of the Representation of the People Bill. This is a matter that we shall wish to consider carefully in Committee.
The information in respect of postal votes cast in the June 1983 general election in Northern Ireland constituencies is as follows: