Local Government Elections (Hansard, 3 May 1985)

Mr. J. Enoch Powell
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will forthwith use his regulation-making power under section 1.(2)(1F) of the Elections (Northern Ireland) Act 1985 to resolve the difficulty which has arisen over the use of medical cards at the local government elections on 15 May.

§ Mr. Scott
My right hon. Friend has carefully considered this possibility. However, to alter the list of documents specified in paragraph 34(6) of schedule 1 to the Local Elections (Northern Ireland) Order 1985, two instruments are necessary, one to alter the list for parliamentary elections, the other for local elections. The form of the legislation ensures that the same documents must be used for both parliamentary and local elections.

Breakdown of Medical Cards Issued from 1 October 1973 to 31 December 1984

All Medical Cards Births Immigrants and Re-entrants to Northern Ireland from outwith the United Kingdom Change of Doctor transfers from Great Britain and others

1973^* 45,170 6,947 2,714 35,509

1974 126,987 23,761 5,213 98,013

1975 130,773 22,538 5,926 102,309

1976 132,518 23,409 4,224 104,885

1977 139,072 23,454 3,350 112,268

1978 130,822 23,647 3,757 103,418

1979 121,033 25,178 3,523 92,332

1980 115,718 25,896 3,074 86,748

1981 107,009 25,400 2,458 79,151

1982 †115,000 †25,000 †2,500 †87,500

1983 †110,000 †25,000 †2,500 †82,500

1984 †110,000 †25,000 †2,500 †82,500

TOTAL 1,384,102 275,230 41,739 1,067,133

^* From 1 Octoberber 1973.

† Estimate.

§ Mr. William Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, in each year since the Central Services Agency for Personal Health and Social Services in Northern Ireland was set up, how many medical cards have
268W
Both instruments need to be approved by resolution of each House of Parliament and, in the case of local elections, the instrument needs to be made by Her Majesty in Council. Whilst it might be theoretically possible to put through both instruments and arrange a special meeting of the Privy Council, the time scale is such that it could not be known until the day preceding polling day whether the necessary changes had been made. To follow this course would thus increase uncertainty and confusion.

Breakdown of Medical Cards Issued from 1 October 1973 to 31 December 1984
	All Medical Cards	Births	Immigrants and Re-entrants to Northern Ireland from outwith the United Kingdom	Change of Doctor transfers from Great Britain and others
1973^*	45,170	6,947	2,714	35,509
1974	126,987	23,761	5,213	98,013
1975	130,773	22,538	5,926	102,309
1976	132,518	23,409	4,224	104,885
1977	139,072	23,454	3,350	112,268
1978	130,822	23,647	3,757	103,418
1979	121,033	25,178	3,523	92,332
1980	115,718	25,896	3,074	86,748
1981	107,009	25,400	2,458	79,151
1982	†115,000	†25,000	†2,500	†87,500
1983	†110,000	†25,000	†2,500	†82,500
1984	†110,000	†25,000	†2,500	†82,500
TOTAL	1,384,102	275,230	41,739	1,067,133
^* From 1 Octoberber 1973.
† Estimate.