§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) how many and what total amount of fines were imposed on those who 621W failed to register on the electoral register in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Enfield in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [58966]
(2) how many cases of failure to register on the electoral register have been prosecuted in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Enfield in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [58965]
(3) if he will estimate how much expenditure was undertaken in compiling the electoral register in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Enfield in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement; [58969]
(4) if he will estimate how much income was derived from the electoral register in (a) the UK, (b) Greater London and (c) Enfield in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [58968]
§ Dr. WhiteheadThis information is not centrally recorded.
§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) what action he is taking to increase the take up of(a) postal voting and (b) proxy voting to increase turnouts in elections; and if he will make a statement. [58964]
(2) what action is being taken to increase the numbers registered on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement. [58971]
(3) what action is being taken to publicise the need to register on the electoral register; and if he will make a statement. [58970]
§ Dr. WhiteheadUnder the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000, responsibility for promoting public awareness of electoral systems and carrying out programmes of education and information is now for The Electoral Commission. I understand that The Electoral Commission is this year launching two main advertising campaigns to promote public awareness of the availability of absent votes and to encourage completion and return of the annual electoral registration form.
§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission regarding a review of election law; and if he will make a statement. [58963]
§ Dr. WhiteheadIn its report on the 2001 general election, The Electoral Commission outlined its plans to review a number of areas of electoral law and practice. Many of those reviews are now under way and my Department is heavily involved with them. I understand that the Commission intends to produce recommendations in time for them to be considered before the next election. In addition, there is considerable day-to-day contact between the Commission and the Department on a range of electoral issues.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many prosecutions have been undertaken for non-registration with electoral registration officers; and if he will make a statement about the future of this offence in relation to access to electoral roll data without the consent of the voter. [59172]
622W
§ Dr. WhiteheadInformation on the number of prosecutions for non-registration is not held centrally. There are no plans to amend the legislation requiring electors to supply information for registration. We published on 13th May our proposals to restrict access to, and sale and supply of, the electoral registers and the purposes for which they may be used. Our intention, subject to consultation and Parliamentary approval, is to make regulations before the summer recess. The increased privacy afforded by our proposals will reassure electors when providing information for registration.