§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has given to local authorities in connection with publicising the reduction of the voting age to 18.
§ Mr. RossThe Scottish Home and Health Department issued a memorandum of guidance to electoral registration officers in August last which, among other276W things, advised them on local publicity, especially in relation to 18-year-olds, at the time of the canvass for the register of electors and during the period when claims and objections may be made. I have placed a copy of this memorandum in the Library. The period for claims and objections has now begun and my Department has arranged for national Press, poster, radio and T.V. publicity, again with special reference to young people now entitled to vote.
§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what action was taken by electoral registration officials in calling recently on households in preparation for the new electoral register, to ensure that all persons aged 16 years 8 months and over are entered on the electoral roll.
§ Mr. RossElectoral registration officers are required by Section 9 of the Representation of the People Act, 1949, to have a house to house or other sufficient inquiry made as to the persons entitled to be registered. As I have informed the hon. Member in reply to another Question, my Department issued a memorandum to electoral registration officers which referred in particular to the voters in the new age group. I have not thought it necessary to ask them for detailed information as to how they carried out their statutory duty.