Written question asked by Denzil Davies (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 3 July 1997. It was answered by Ron Davies (Labour) on Thursday, 3 July 1997 on behalf of the Welsh Office.

Welsh Office

Question: What plans he has to avoid the need to close schools for use as polling stations in the forthcoming referendum on devolution.

Answer: Mr. Denzil Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what plans he has to avoid the need to close schools for use as polling stations in the forthcoming referendum on devolution. [6073] Mr. Ron Davies: The organisation of the poll in each local authority area is a matter for the relevant returning officer. Polling places to be used in the referendum are to be the same as those used in council elections, but the returning officer has discretion, if he considers special circumstances exist, to designate some other place for taking the poll. In areas where schools are used for polling, it is therefore open to returning officers, if they consider special circumstances to exist, to designate other places as polling places for the referendum.

Secondary information