Sir LEICESTER HARMSWORTHasked the Secretary for Scotland whether he is aware that, according to the register of electors for the burgh of Wick, about 300 householders who have been absent on military and naval service and have now returned home are disqualified from voting in the impending election for the county education authority, although they are on the register as Parliamentary voters; whether this disqualification applies to householders who have been absent from home on military and naval service in other county and burgh constituencies in Scotland; whether such disqualification is in accordance with the existing franchise law; and what action he proposes to take to remedy the anomaly and injustice of the disqualification of such a large class of electors, whose interests and rights should have had special consideration and protection during their absence in the country's service?
§ Mr. MUNROI have no statistics bearing on this matter. Owing to the differences in the Parliamentary and local government franchises a person may be qualified for the first who is not qualified for the second, and the same law applies, of course, throughout Scotland. As regards the last part of the question, I would refer the hon. Baronet to the answer I gave to the hon. Member for Govan on this subject on the 6th of March.