HL Deb 10 May 1973 vol 342 cc591-2WA
LORD BARNBY

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, with regard to voting qualifications at local and municipal elections they now confirm (a) that citizens of a foreign country are not necessarily qualified to vote; (b) that citizens of the Republic of Pakistan, Pakistan having left the Commonwealth, are aliens; and what action is being taken should non-citizens be reported to have voted.

VISCOUNT COLVILLE OF CULROSS

Aliens are not qualified to vote at local elections, and if they do so, knowing that they are subject to this legal incapacity, they commit an offence and their votes may be rejected on scrutiny. Citizens of Pakistan are not at present aliens in United Kingdom law, and are therefore qualified to vote at this year's local elections if they are on the electoral regis- ter. Their future status will depend on the legislation to deal with Pakistan's withdrawal from the Commonwealth.