HC Deb 18 October 1990 vol 177 c867W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Prime Minister what is the current level of electoral registration; and what steps Her Majesty's Government proposes to increase the level of electoral registration before the closing date for entries.

The Prime Minister

The numbers of parliamentary elec tors on the 1990 electoral register for each part of the United Kingdom, together with the corresponding figures for 1989, are given in the table. The Home Office has continued to assist electoral registration officers in their statutory duty of preparing the electoral register in a number of ways. It has again this year conducted a nationwide advertising campaign designed to encourage people to complete and return the electoral registration form; and has produced publicity and an explanatory leaflet aimed at encouraging young people to register.

Research into the working methods of electoral registration officers is undertaken annually, and the results are used to inform Home Office guidance on best practice. It also amends and improves the electoral registration form, form A, where necessary, and is producing revised and updated practice notes for electoral registration officers. The most recent of these covers the effective use, at each stage of the compilation of the electoral register, of the electoral registration officer's statutory right of access to the community charge register.

Parliamentary electors
1989 1990
England 36,365,916 36,388,575
Wales 2,194,625 2,207,542
Scotland 3,932,911 3,936,704
Northern Ireland 1,120,508 1,130,602

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