§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are satisfied with the level of security at the Clive House headquarters of the Independent Commission on the Voting System; and [HL2710]
Whether it is possible for citizens to give an input to the Independent Commission on the Voting System at the Commission's office in Clive House; and what general literature is available to the public in the office of the Independent Commission on the Voting System on its remit and other relevant matters; and [HL2711]
Whether the fact that an appointment is needed to visit the office of the Independent Commission on the Voting System to make a general inquiry is compatible with their policies of openness, transparency and accountability. [HL2714]
§ Lord Williams of MostynClive House, where the Independent Commission on the Voting System has its offices, is a government building and the level of security is set accordingly.
In accordance with the practice in most government buildings, access is restricted. Members of the public are not permitted free access to all parts of the building. Members of the Independent Commission's secretariat are, however, available to receive submissions at Clive House during normal working hours.
What literature the Independent Commission chooses to make available about its remit and activities is a matter for the commission itself.
74WA
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
How and when the Independent Commission on the Voting System invited submissions; and what individuals and organisations were approached; and [HL2712]
Apart from the public meetings what attempts did the Independent Commission on the Voting System make to obtain the views of the public on questions of electoral reform. [HL2713]
§ Lord Williams of MostynI understand from the commission that advertisements inviting the submission of evidence were placed inThe Times, Daily Telegraph, Guardian, Independent, Daily Mail, Daily Express, Sun, Mirror, Western Mail, Belfast Telegraph, Irish News, Belfast Newsletter, Scotsman and Glasgow Herald.
The commission's web site provides details of the commission's address and telephone number.
The Chairman of the Independent Commission invited written evidence in the course of a number of media interviews, including interviews on the "Today" programme and On the Record.
The Independent Commission commissioned National Opinion Poll to undertake research in a series of focus groups.
No individuals or groups were approached individually.
§ Lord Cocks of Hartcliffeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What members of the Independent Commission on the Voting System are or have been associated with the Constitution Unit or its financing arrangements in any way. [HL2715]
§ Lord Williams of MostynTwo members of the Commission, Sir John Chilcot and Mr. David Lipsey, serve on the Constitution Unit's Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee is purely advisory and is not responsible for the Constitution Unit's financial arrangements.
Prior to the 1997 general election, Baroness Gould of Potternewton served on the Commission on the Conduct of Referendums which was established jointly by the Constitution Unit and the Electoral Reform Society.
The noble Lord, Lord Jenkins, was a trustee of the Pilgrim Trust, which made a grant of £15,000 to the Constitution Unit in 1995. Mr. David Lipsey is on leave of absence from his post as political editor of the Economist, which has supported the Constitution Unit's web site with a grant of £3,000.