REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE (NORTHERN IRELAND) REGULATIONS, 1952 (Hansard, 27 October 1952)

§ THE EARL OF SELKIRK

My Lords, the regulations which I am asking your Lordships to approve refer to the compilation of the register of electors for Northern Ireland. Most of your Lordships are no doubt familiar with the way in which this registration is done in this country; by the making up of preparatory lists, to which objections may be raised in the ordinary way. Hitherto, we have carried out the matter in Northern Ireland in an identical manner with that in which it has been done in this country. It is now proposed, however, that there should be a change—it is made for the sake of convenience. Instead of preparing, as we do in this country, separate lists—list A, of electors on the register, list B, of names to be added to the register, and list C, of names to be omitted—we propose that there should be one list, and that it should be prepared every year.

The reason for the change is this: First, that there has been a slightly different register for the Parliament of Northern Ireland and for local government elections in Northern Ireland. Moreover, since these lists are prepared only every three years, it is considered that it would be difficult if there were to be C and B lists which would be modifications of these lists. It has been considered more simple to have one full list, which will be amended in the ordinary way. It will take slightly longer to complete this list. Accordingly, the date on which the list has to be completed has been postponed, and the date by which objections to this list can be made has also been postponed. In these circumstances, I beg to move that these regulations be approved.

§ LORD SHEPHERD

My Lords, we have no objection to the proposed changes in the register for Northern Ireland. To those who have been interested for years in the representation of electors, it has been a matter of regret that the franchise in Northern Ireland in respect of local government varies from that in England and has therefore rendered necessary some differences in the register. Whilst wishing Northern Ireland well in the new arrangements that are to be made, I would express the hope that the day may soon come when in England, Scotland and Wales we may have a completely new list published every year, so as to avoid the very great difficulties that sometimes arise over the present system of A, B, and C registers.