§ 12. Mr. Harry BarnesTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are his Department's plans to maximise the number of people on the 1992–93 electoral register; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldAs in previous years we shall conduct a nationwide advertising campaign in the early autumn to encourage people to complete and return the electoral 567 registration form. We shall also continue our annual research into the working methods of electoral registration officers, and produce updated best practice notes to assist them in compiling an accurate register.
§ Mr. BarnesThe current electoral register is a mess. One million people are missing from it according to the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys. There is to be a new register on which the general election could be fought. There is time to put the register right. Will the Government spend advertising money to achieve that? Only 0.3 per cent. of the advertising budget is spent on electoral registration. We have time to put things democratically right if the Government will act now.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe hon. Gentleman should know that advertising money is being spent and electoral registration officers are working hard to ensure that their electoral registers are up to date and accurate.