§ Mr. Laneasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of servicemen entitled to do so have made a declaration to secure their own vote; whether he is satisfied that the shortness of the notice available to the services, together with recent operational exigencies notably in North Ireland, have not deprived servicemen of the opportunity of being registered as service voters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence is not in a position to say what proportion of servicemen have made a service declaration, nor, because of the way in which the register is compiled, can I obtain the information from electoral registration officers.
I understand from my right hon. Friend that special steps were taken to ensure that members of the armed ser- 454W vices were informed of the procedure and timetable for registration.