§ Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to electoral registration officers in consequence of the decision to end the use of OHMS frankings on official communications relating to electoral registration and absent voting with effect from 15 February 1982.
§ Mr. WhitelawThe Government's decision to phase out the use of the official paid postage system was announced on 3 July 1980 by my right hon. Friend the then Minister of State, Civil Service Department. [Vol. 987, c.639.] The decision will take effect in relation to communications to and from electoral registration officers from 15 February 1982— subject to certain transitional arrangements during the period up to 30 June. Electoral registration officers were advised of this decision, and of the new arrangements to be made, in a circular, RPA 259 of 31 March 1981, a copy of which was placed in the Library of the House at the time. Electoral registration officers will continue to supply prepaid envelopes to 374W electors for the return of forms. The new arrangements will thus not involve any extra expense to the elector, who will continue to enjoy free postage, the cost of which, like all other electoral registration expenses, will continue to be borne by local authorities. The purpose of the new arrangements is simply to promote economies in working methods.
The official paid postage system will continue to be used for the dispatch and return of postal ballot papers at parliamentary and European Parliament elections. The system has never applied to local government elections.