§ Mr. MARDY JONESasked the Minister of Labour, as representing the Ministry of Health, whether, in view of the defective manner in which the present house-to-house canvass is frequently carried out, thereby depriving many qualified persons of their right to the Parliamentary franchise, he will instruct the registration officers to adopt the census-of-population methods of leaving a registration form at every house, to be filled in by the occupier, giving all the necessary particulars to ascertain how many persons in the house are qualified to be placed upon the incoming registers as electors?
§ Mr. BRIDGEMANI have been asked to reply to this question. In very many areas a house-to-house canvass is already conducted by means of a form of return to be filled up by the occupier on the lines suggested in the question; and a prescribed form is supplied for the purpose, where required. I am not, however, prepared to press for the universal adoption of this procedure to the exclusion of any other efficient method, particularly in view of the wide differences in local circumstances. As indicated in my previous reply to the hon. Member, I do not wish to be taken as subscribing to the views expressed in his question; but if the hon. Member has any information which he desires to bring to my notice, I will, of course, consider it.