HC Deb 18 February 1975 vol 886 cc363-4W
Mrs. Winifred Ewing

asked the Lord President of the Council what is his policy on making voting on the EEC referendum compulsory.

Mr. Edward Short

It is the Government's intention to keep as far as pos- sible to the arrangements for elections and they do not propose that voting in the referendum should be compulsory.

Mrs. Winifred Ewing

asked the Lord President of the Council what criteria he will insist on before recognising an "umbrella organisation" appealing to public opinion with regard to the EEC referendum as an organisation suitable for an award of Government funds.

Mr. Freud

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will take steps to make readily available to the public such documents as will permit them to formulate an opinion on the merits of membership of the EEC.

Mr. Edward Short

I would ask the hon. Members to await the White Paper on the arrangements for the referendum.