HC Deb 23 August 1945 vol 413 c859W
Mr. Peter Freeman

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called to the fact that, by issuing soft carbon pencils in the ballot boxes at the recent election, two crosses often appeared on the ballot paper, the second being due to the impression from the first when folded; and will he take steps to prevent such pencils being issued.

Mr. Ede

The pencils supplied for use in public stations at the recent General Election were similar to those supplied for many years prior to the war. Experience had shown that crayon pencils are most suitable for this purpose. So far as I am aware the instances of duplicate crosses mentioned by my hon. Friend are exceptional. I do not consider that they warrant a change in the type of pencils supplied.