§ Mr. HeddleTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will seek to amend the Representation of the People Act or the rules thereunder to ensure that the layout of the ballot papers for parliamentary elections comply precisely with the Local Elections (Principal Areas) rules 1986 and the Local Elections (Parish & Communities) Rules 1986; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe form of ballot papers for parliamentary elections is laid down in the Parliamentary Election Rules (schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983). The Local Election (Principal Areas) Rules 1986 and the Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) Rules 1986 relate only to local elections. We have no reason to believe that these statutory rules are not being complied with, but if my hon. Friend is aware of a particular problem perhaps he would write to me about it.