§ 59. Mr. Wallasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the report of the Gibraltar Elected Representatives proposals for the constitutional future of Gibraltar.
§ Mrs. HartThe committee set up by the Elected Members of the Gibraltar Legislative Council to consider possible future constitutional changes in Gibraltar has not yet submitted its report.
§ 60. Sir W. Teelingasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs whether he is aware that 700 Gibraltar voters of the ages between 21 and 23 years could not vote because they were not included in the register of electors at the recent by-election; how far the United Kingdom is responsible for this position; and, in view of the fact that the election was won by a majority of 145, whether Her Majesty's Government will reconsider the validity of the election.
§ Mr. HartElections to the Gibraltar Legislative Council take place under the locally enacted Gibraltar Elections Ordinance, which provides for the revision of the register at three-yearly intervals and also in certain additional years. The power to vary the times or dates regarding revision of the register of electors rests with the Governor in accordance with the Ordinance. The last revision was made in 1965 and the next is due in 1968. 55W Neither candidate made any representations or protest regarding the register before the election took place on 23rd May.
Procedure for questioning the validity of an election is laid down in the Ordinance: it is not for Her Majesty's Government to do so.