§ 11. Mr. KnoxTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he has any plans to introduce legislation to implement the outstanding recommendations of the Speaker's Conference in the 1970–74 Parliament, relating to electoral law.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNo, Sir. The primary aim of the legislation to amend electoral law, which we intend to introduce in this Parliament, will be to implement our manifesto commitment to extend the period in which British citizens abroad may register as overseas electors.
§ Mr. KnoxDo the Government intend to do anything about the 1973–74 Speaker's Conference recommendation to reduce the age at which people can stand for election to the House?
§ Mr. HoggI know of my hon. Friend's interest in this matter. He was a distinguished member of the Speaker's Conference. The recommendation to which he referred was reached by a vote of 10 to eight. There is no evidence that the public want to be represented by teenagers. We are sometimes accused of behaving as though we were teenagers. The question asked by the hon. Member for Bradford, South (Mr. Cryer) explains why such allegations are sometimes made. I would not wish to add further substance to that charge.
§ Mr. WinnickIf it is right to control the amount of money that a candidate can spend during a general election—and it is right and proper that there should be such control—why is there no control on the amount of money that a party can spend nationally?