§ 58. Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reply he has given to the request for advice from the Electoral Registration Officer of the Borough of Islington concerning the latter's correspondence with the hon. Member for Islington, South-West, about the conduct of electoral registration in Islington.
§ Mr. SharplesNo written reply was sent, but Home Office officials had a 437W discussion with the electoral registration officer. I understand that he has written to the hon. Member.
§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what information about the conduct of electoral registration a registration officer is debarred from providing to Members of Parliament.
§ Mr. SharplesNone.
§ Mr. George Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) what guidance he issues to electoral registration officers about follow-up action when occupants do not return Form A;
(2) what guidance he issues to electoral registration officers on publicising the conduct of the electoral registration canvass.
§ Mr. SharplesThis is contained in paragraph 9 of Circular No. RPA 142 dated 22nd July, 1969, a copy of which is in the Library of the House. Registration officers are there advised on the prompt use of forms of reminder where Form A is not returned by the qualifying date; to publicise in the local Press the dates on which forms are to be sent out and canvassers will be at work; and to follow this up with an indication of the results obtained from the canvass, for instance the proportion of forms returned in the first week or two.