§ 65. Mr. Lawsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what proportion of those persons attaining the age of 18 years between 16th February, 1970 and 15th February, 1971 was included in the current Register; and how this compares with the proportion of Y voters included in the 1969 Register.
§ Mr. BuchanI estimate that 60 per cent. have been registered as against 55 per cent. of potential Y voters in the 1969 Registers.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what inquiry he has made since the publication of the 1970 Electoral Register to determine the number of those eligible to register who have not registered; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. RossI told the hon. Member for North Angus and Mearns (Mr. Buchanan-Smith) the results of my inquiries in my answers on 26th February. Among other things, these brought out that, whereas he has referred to reports of a shortfall of 100,000, the number of persons on the Register is about 50,000 fewer than the estimated eligible population. It would be misleading, however, to suggest that this deficiency of 50,000 represents the actual number of persons in the newly-enfranchised age groups who have been omitted from the Register.—[Vol. 796, c.409–11.]