§ Mr. SpeakerI wish to make a brief statement.
On 25th April, I announced that at the request of the Prime Minister I had agreed to reconstitute the Conference on Electoral Law; and, on 8th July, I informed the House of the names of the hon. Members who had accepted my invitation to serve on the new Conference.
The Conference in the last Parliament reported its recommendations on certain matters relating to the registration of electors, the franchise, absent voting and candidates' election expenses. Many other matters within the terms of reference—in particular, the minimum age for voting and methods of election—remain for the consideration of the new Conference which will resume its meetings after the Summer Adjournment. In the meantime, it is still open to hon. Members, party organisations and other bodies concerned to submit representations if they have not already done so. Any such representations should be sent to the Joint Secretaries at the Journal Office, House of Commons, by 30th September.