HL Deb 16 October 1969 vol 304 cc1539-41
LORD COLYTON

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows

To ask Her Majesty's Government what residential or other qualifications are required to enable citizens of Commonwealth countries and the Irish Republic to vote in British national or local elections, and which Commonwealth countries or the Republic of Ireland grant reciprocal facilities to citizens of the United Kingdom.]

THE MINISTER OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL SECURITY (BARONESS SEROTA)

My Lords, Commonwealth citizens are British subjects and no qualifications are required of them additional to those required of citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies. Nor are any additional qualifications required of citizens of the Irish Republic. As regards the second part of the Question, British subjects resident in the Irish Republic can vote at local elections. In Commonwealth countries the electoral position of non-citizens (including citizens of the United Kingdom and Colonies) varies and is often governed by complex legislation. Detailed information is not immediately available but I will send it to the noble Lord as soon as possible.

LORD COLYTON

My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her reply. Is it not a fact that in many—I do not say in most, but in many—Commonwealth countries, United Kingdom citizens either cannot vote or can vote only if they have been resident for a very long time? While I think no one would have any objection, or has an objection, to Commonwealth and Irish citizens voting in this country, is there not a very strong case for Her Majesty's Government to approach all Commonwealth Governments and the Government of Ireland with a view to establishing full reciprocity in these matters?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, I cannot say whether many or most Commonwealth countries have these arrangements, but I do know—and I have promised to send the detailed information to the noble Lord—that there are a number who for their own reasons have felt it necessary to confine voting rights in their countries to their own citizens. As regards the noble Lord's second point, this is a matter for the Commonwealth countries concerned and the Government of the Irish Republic.

LORD COLYTON

My Lords, all I am asking the noble Baroness is whether Her Majesty's Government will make an approach.

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, I think that that is really a different question, but I will convey the noble Lord's point to my right honourable friend. I am sure that the House would not wish me to go further on this subject to-day.

THE EARL OF LAUDERDALE

My Lords, would the noble Baroness say whether it is true, as has been reported in various quarters, that in the Bahamas the voting rights of Commonwealth citizens of United Kingdom origin resident there have recently been curtailed and even, it is said in some quarters, actually abolished altogether?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords, I think that that question should be addressed to my noble friend the Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

LORD KILBRACKEN

My Lords, so far as the Republic of Ireland is concerned, may I ask the Minister three short questions? Is it not the absolute right of a country to decide which of its citizens shall be permitted to vote at general and at local elections? Secondly, should not Parliament have been aware, after the passage of the Parliament Act 1949, when it established the franchise or accorded the franchise to Irish citizens in this country, that in the Republic of Ireland voting at general and presidential elections is confined to Irish citizens? Thirdly, is my noble friend aware that in one part of the United Kingdom there are many United Kingdom citizens who have no vote at all at local elections and many others who have several votes—I refer to Northern Ireland—and does she condemn this policy?

BARONESS SEROTA

My Lords the answer to the noble Lord's first supplementary question is, "Yes". To the second question, the right of Irish citizens to vote at British elections is consequential on Parliament's decision in the 1949 Ireland Act. I find the third question extremely interesting, but would prefer not to comment.