§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on how many occasions over the past three years he has approved a request for removal of disability to vote; and in what circumstances such a request may be submitted by telephone from a local councillor without written submission of the extent of the financial interest of the councillor concerned.
§ Mr. KingIn the past three years, some 8,750 members were given dispensations by the Secretary of State removing disability to vote. Requests by telephone for dispensations are not infrequent and where necessary my Department is prepared to deal urgently with these applications, provided sufficient information is provided to enable a decision to be given.
§ Mr. Stuart Hollandasked the Secretary of State for the Environment on what grounds he approved the dispensation of disability to vote to Ms. Mary Leigh of Lambeth borough council on council house sales, in view of her interest as a solicitor acting for persons buying houses from the council and her interest as a solicitor to the Lambeth Homebuyers' Association.
825W
§ Mr. KingDispensation to vote was given in accordance with the policy set down in paragraph 9 of Appendix II of DOE circular 105/73 which has guided the decisions on dispensations given by the Department under successive Governments.