Written question asked by Peter Robinson (Democratic Unionist Party), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 31 July 1997. It was answered by Lord Murphy of Torfaen (Labour) on Thursday, 31 July 1997 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Northern Ireland Office

Question: If she will list by constituency the number of applications signed by individual doctors and the reason given for (a) postal votes and (b) proxy votes for the 1997 General Election.

Answer: Mr. Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if she will list by constituency the number of applications signed by individual doctors and the reason given for (a) postal votes and (b) proxy votes for the 1997 general election. [8693] Mr. Murphy: Records of absent vote applications are not currently stored in a way that would readily provide information on reasons for application and individual doctors attestations. The child electoral officer has instituted a review of all absent vote applications for the last three elections in Northern Ireland and any relevant conclusions of the report may be published in due course.

Secondary information