§ 60. Mr. Huntasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he proposes to seek to enable those away from home on holiday at the time of an election to have their votes recorded by proxy.
§ 64. Mr. Iremongerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will now introduce legislation to enable electors on holiday to have postal votes.
§ Mr. SharplesAbsent voting for those on holiday involves a number of practical problems. My right hon. Friend is seeking the advice of the Electoral Advisory Conference, which includes representatives of registration officers, returning officers and the three main political parties.
§ 72. Mr. Tilneyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what reports he has received from Returning Officers as to the feasibility of those wishing to go on holiday at the time of a general or municipal election having a postal or proxy vote, and the likely minimum time required for the registration of such a vote.
§ Mr. SharplesThis matter will be considered by the Electoral Advisory Conference, on which acting returning officers are represented.
§ Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give an estimate as to how many persons were disfranchised at the recent General Election because voting took place when a large number of people were on holiday; and if he will now take steps to revise the law so as to permit persons to vote when away from their homes on holiday.
170W
§ Mr. SharplesAlthough I have seen unofficial estimates of the number of people away from home on holiday ranging from 1½ million to 500,000, no official figures are available. My right hon. Friend is arranging for the matter raised in the second part of the question to be considered by the Electoral Advisory Conference.