HC Deb 23 July 1918 vol 108 c1661W
Sir W. DICKINSON

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, owing to the fact that in certain constituencies no proper house-to-house canvass has been made, the lists of electors are very incomplete; whether the registration officer has any powers to add names of persons omitted unless a claim is made for their insertion; and, if not, whether he will issue an order empowering and requiring registration officers to check the present lists by such further inquiry as is necessary, in order to make the registers as complete as possible?

Mr. HAYES FISHER

I do not know what particular constituencies the right hon. Gentleman has in mind, but, in any case, the registration officer has no power, as I am advised, to add any person's name to the lists except in pursuance of a claim made by, or on behalf of, such person, nor am I empowered to require him to do so. In order, however, to facilitate the registration of persons whose names may have been omitted from the lists, I have suggested to registration officers that they should accept claims made by one person on behalf of a number of other persons, whose names can be given in a Schedule to the claim, provided the requisite particulars are furnished.