HC Deb 15 June 1979 vol 968 cc339-40W
Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any specific plans to allow those who through infirmity or because of the nature of their occupation, and who now feature on the absent voters' lists, to be allowed to vote at community council elections, in view of the fact that some thousands of voters in each constituency cannot use their votes on such occasions.

Mr. Whitelaw

This is one of the matters which I shall be considering in the light of experience of the recent elections.

Dr. Roger Thomas

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that at community council elections in the future the hours at which the polling booths are open will be exactly the same as at parliamentary elections, that is from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and not curtailed by two hours as is the practice at present.

Mr. Brittan

None. The normal polling hours for all local government elections, and not only community council elections, are 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.