HL Deb 12 March 1998 vol 587 cc380-1

8.28 p.m.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 10th March be approved [26th Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Baroness said: My Lords, as some noble Lords may be aware, since this order was considered and approved by this House last Tuesday, we have spotted a technical flaw which has necessitated its relaying in amended form. The error was in Article 6 of the order which seeks to ensure that the cut-off date for additions to the electoral register used for the referendum is the same as that for local elections happening on the same day. As drafted, the order provided that the last date for alterations to the register for the purpose of the referendum should be 20th March.

It has since been brought to our attention that 20th March is in fact the final date by which applications for late registration can be accepted for inclusion in the following month's local government register. Formal amendment of the register only takes place in the first few days of April. If interpreted strictly, the article might have led to some late registering voters being able to vote in the local elections but missing out on the opportunity to vote in the referendum.

I am sure that noble Lords will agree on the importance of taking immediate action to ensure that no London residents miss out on their right to vote in the referendum as a result of registering late. That is why we have taken swift action to lay an amended order and to bring it back before this House.

The only difference between this order and the one considered and approved last week by this House is that Article 6 has been amended to provide that the last date for alterations to the register should be 6th April rather than 20th March. This will ensure that anyone who applies to register up to 20th March will be able to take part in the referendum.

I apologise to noble Lords for the inconvenience of having to reconsider this order. But I am sure that your Lordships' House will accept that the Government have acted properly in seeking to put right this problem as soon as possible. I commend the order to the House.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 10th March be approved [26th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton.)

Lord Burnham

My Lords, with reasonable luck, the debate will not last so long as the debate to which we have recently listened. I am happy to see a genuine manuscript amendment. We on these Benches are entirely content for the case which the Minister has made for the order. I am happy to support it.

The Viscount of Falkland

My Lords, on behalf of my noble friend Lady Hamwee, who is unable to be here tonight, I thank the Minister. Will she convey to her noble friend Lady Hayman my noble friend's thanks for the courtesy of the letter which she wrote? My noble friend, on behalf of these Benches, is happy with the action which the Government have taken.

Baroness Farrington of Ribbleton

My Lords, I am delighted with the responses of both noble Lords.

On Question, Motion agreed to.

Lord Hoyle

My Lords, I beg to move that the House do now adjourn during pleasure until 9.25 p.m.

Moved accordingly, and, on Question, Motion agreed to.

[The Sitting was suspended from 8.32 to 9.25 p.m.]