§ The Minister for Local Government, Regional Governance and Fire (Mr. Nick Raynsford)I have today published for consultation draft orders and papers on the arrangements for the forthcoming regional and local referendums:
The consultation on registration and spending limits discusses how those wishing to campaign in the referendums (permitted participants) should register and how much money they should be able to spend. This paper will be accompanied by the draft Regional Assembly Referendums and Local Government Referendums (Referendum Expenses Limits for Permitted Participants) Order 2004.
The consultation on combining regional and local referendums and on local referendum rules discusses the provisions being made for the combination of polls, the all-postal vote and other electoral issues. It is accompanied by the draft Local Government Referendums (England) Order 2004.
Copies of the documents are available in the Libraries of both Houses. They will also be available on the website of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
The public consultation will run until 16 February and we would be very grateful for comments on these proposals.