HC Deb 16 December 1977 vol 941 cc522-3W
Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representations he has received from wives of Service men on the subject of the regulations requiring Service men's wives and husbands of Service women to register as Service voters and not as civilians registered on the electoral roll in the same manner as other civilians.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

We have received, directly or through right hon. and hon. Members, about 30 letters on this subject.

Mr. Viggers

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department why it is no longer possible for the wives of Service men and husbands of Service women to register for voting as civilians.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

The Representation of the People (Armed Forces) Act 1976 extended the service qualification to the wives and husbands of members of the Armed Forces, whether resident in the United Kingdom or overse as. The Act implemented a recommendation of the Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law.