HL Deb 31 October 1990 vol 522 cc1841-2

Lord Dean of Beswick asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether any authority has been given to electoral registration officers to extend the 10th October deadline for qualification for inclusion in the electoral register, whether for United Kingdom or for overseas residents.

The Minister of State, Home Office (Earl Ferrers)

My Lords, there has been no change to the qualifying date of 10th October, or 15th September in Northern Ireland, for the registration of electors either living in the United Kingdom or overseas.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, I am grateful to the Minister for that Answer. Is he aware that information which I have obtained from the Library states that 16th December is the new date for applications to be registered on the list but that even after that date applications for registration will be received? Can he say whether the fact that the dates are being opened up in such a way to give open-ended registration has anything to do with the Government's dip in the public opinion polls?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, unfortunately I missed the last part of the noble Lord's question but I shall not ask him to repeat it because it might not be particularly helpful. The noble Lord may have obtained incorrect information. Declarations must be made on or before 10th October but they need not be received by the electoral registration officer by that date. They can be treated as claims for inclusion in the draft register or, depending on when they are received, in the published register. In theory, therefore, it is possible for an overseas elector's declaration to be received up to early January 1992 in order to be accepted for the 1991–92 electoral register. In practice of course that is quite unlikely to occur.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, according to the Library the information comes from the Home Office. It has been in touch with his department regarding the matter. I do not believe that the information is incorrect. Will the Minister accept that perhaps he has got it wrong?

Earl Ferrers

My Lords, I must disagree with the noble Lord. Ministers never get things wrong. I shall certainly look into the mysterious publication which has misled the noble Lord. I note that he is gesticulating. I shall certainly look into the matter, but I can assure him that what I have told him is correct.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, will the Minister accept my acknowledgment that the dates for the draft register to be published and the last date for claims are, as he explains, included in the 1986 regulations? Having said that, can he tell us the amount of money put aside for encouraging the registration of overseas electors? How does it compare with the cost of publicity aimed at United Kingdom residents who wish to be included on the register, bearing in mind that everyone—the Home Office and registration officers—is concerned with the shortfall on the UK register?

Earl Ferrerso

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for agreeing with me and disagreeing with his noble friend. With regard to his second question, the Home Office has spent £460,683 on the campaign for domestic electoral registration in England and Wales and has contributed £480,189 towards the total cost of the overseas campaign, which totals £760,000.

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