Parish Polls

HC Deb 30 October 2000 vol 355 cc316-7W

Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the holding of parish polls; [135145]

(2) what advice his Department has given to returning officers on the holding of parish polls. [135144]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

Parish polls are held under the provisions of schedule 12 of the Local Government Act 1972 and the Community Meetings (Polls) Rules 1987. Returning Officers are responsible for observing and interpreting those rules and my department has not issued any guidance on their application.