§ 74. Mr. Bossomasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if, as many people did not realise that the register of electors had to be examined and checked almost immediately after the election in 14 days only, he will allow a second period of two weeks for its examination, as in every division there are inaccuracies that should be rectified.
§ Mr. EdeThe hon. Member is misinformed. The dates between which the register was open to inspection for the purpose of making claims and objections were 10th January and 24th January. For the issue raised by the Question I would refer the hon. Member to the answers which I gave on 16th and 23rd March to questions by the hon. and learned Member for Hove (Mr. Marlowe).
§ 84. Mr. Marloweasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the objections which decided him against reopening the spring electoral register for a limited period to enable those who now discover that they have been omitted to apply for registration on 62W the ground that they are qualified for inclusion.
§ Mr. EdeThe question I had to consider was whether there are sufficient grounds to justify a proposal that the arrangements prescribed by Parliament should be altered on this occasion, mainly to give a second chance to people who failed to take the opportunity provided by law to inspect the lists and put in claims in January. My conclusion was that there are not sufficient grounds to justify this proposal.