§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to take action on matters raised in the report of the Spastics Society, "Disabled People and the 1987 General Election", a copy of which has been sent to him; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe welcome the Spastics Society's report, which we have studied with interest. The Representation of the People Act 1985 introduced a statutory requirement on local authorities, so far as is reasonable and practicable, to designate as polling places only those premises which are accessible to disabled electors. The Act also enabled physically incapacitated electors to vote by proxy, as an alternative to voting by post for an indefinite period. We are reviewing the law, procedures and forms relating to absent voting and we shall consider most carefully any proposals we receive for changes in electoral law as it affects disabled people.