§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he is satisfied with the percentages of service personnel in each of the armed forces who are registered on the index of service voters; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure that in future nearly half the Royal Air Force, one third of the Army and one quarter of the Royal Navy, together with many of their spouses are not disfranchised in future elections.
§ Mr. FreemanResponsibility for registration rests upon the individual and it is not within our power to compel service personnel to register. However, we shall continue to strive for higher numbers on the index by a constant process of encouragement. This will include: advice during training; the production of Defence Council instructions advising commanding officers of their obligation to encourage maximum registration; notice board information material; articles; broadcasts; advertisements and advisory booklets (in conjunction with the Home Office), and liaison with electoral registration offices.