HL Deb 13 July 1990 vol 521 c644WA
Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the procedure for distributing application forms to potential overseas voters for inclusion on the appropriate register, and how forms will be collected and directed to United Kingdom constituencies; and

How ballot papers will be distributed to, and collected from, British citizens living abroad, with voting rights under the Representation of the People Act 1989.

Earl Ferrers

: Distribution of application forms by British diplomatic posts began in May and is continuing by various means, including mailshots to expatriates, inclusion with renewed passports, and in response to direct requests from individuals, firms and organisations. Overseas electors are themselves responsible for returning their application forms to the appropriate electoral registration officer, normally by post.

Overseas electors vote by proxy, or in person if they are in the United Kingdom at the time of an election. They cannot vote by post, and ballot papers are not distributed to them.

Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How British citizens living in countries throughout the world (HL Deb., 26th June, cols. 1608–10), will be advised of their new voting rights in United Kingdom elections.

Earl Ferrers

: The Home Office and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office are conducting a publicity and advertising campaign in most countries in which British citizens live; it began in May and will end later this month.

Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will place copies of letters to potential overseas voters, and of official application forms, in the Library of the House.

Earl Ferrers

: I have today arranged for copies of the application form and an explanatory leaflet to be placed in the Library.

Lord Stallard

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How many British citizens living abroad registered as electors for the parliamentary elections of 1983 and 1987, and how many actually voted.

Earl Ferrers

: The franchise for British citizens living overseas was first introduced by the Representation of the People Act 1985. At the time of the general election in 1987 there were 11,100 registered overseas electors. It is impossible to say how many of them voted.