§ 68. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland in how many Scottish constituencies at the last General Election the counting took place in the same hall and with the same personnel as the counting for one or more other constituencies; and whether he will take steps to ensure that each constituency shall be treated as a separate entity for these purposes.
§ Mr. RossI regret this information is not available. The arrangements for counting are entrusted by statute to electoral returning officers, and the requirement which my hon. Friend suggests would require legislation. I have, however, brought his suggestion to the attention of returning officers, with a view to its being considered at a meeting with my Department in the near future.