§ Mr. Silkinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been called. to a circular issued by the Holborn Conservative Association to business premises electors, of which a copy has been sent to him; and whether he will make clear to electors how to secure their votes and that no political party has any authority to claim to be the only channel of application for the franchise.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonI have seen the document to which my hon. Friend has drawn my attention. A person is, of courser, entitled to make application for registration other than through a political organisation and therefore the circular is wrong in saying that "Unless we have returned your Claim to the Registration Officer by the 28th of this month, your name will not be entered on the Business Premises Register and you will lose your right to vote at the next Parliamentary Election"; but I do not think that any action on my part is called for. Extensive publicity has already been given in 1571W the Press and by the B.B.C. to the method by which electors who think that they are qualified to vote in respect of their occupancy of business premises may claim to be included in the appropriate register.