§ 16. Mr. Soleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will bring forward proposals to repeal section 4 of the Representation of the People Act 1969, so as to allow convicted persons to vote during detention.
§ Mr. BrittanWe have no present plans to do so.
§ Mr. SoleyDoes not the Minister agree that the deprivation of liberty is sufficient punishment in itself and that prisoners should not be deprived of other human rights? Will he reconsider his position?
Mr. BritianI am not prepared to reconsider this position. It has long been accepted that one of the consequences of a conviction and a custodial sentence is the loss of various civil rights, of which this is one.
§ Mr. HeddleWould my hon. and learned Friend consider repealing parts of the Representation of the People Act 1969 in order to allow those on holiday to vote in United Kingdom elections?
§ Mr. SpeakerThat is another question altogether. The hon. Member should put it on the Order Paper.