§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to clarify the status of electoral law where cases in the Scottish courts give a different interpretation of the Representation of the People Acts to those made under English law.
§ Mr. MellorIf the hon. Gentleman has a particular case in mind perhaps he would write to me.
§ Mr. Wigleyasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legisation to prohibit persons from registering as voters for general election purposes in homes in which they are not permanently resident, and which are used only for holiday home purposes.
§ Mr. MellorIt is for the electoral registration officer to decide in the first instance whether a person is qualified to be registered as an elector. The courts have held that, in order to qualify, a person's residence at a particular address must have "a considerable degree of permanence". If someone wishes to object to the inclusion of a name in the register he may do so during the period from 28 November until 16 December set aside for the purpose.