§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he has any plans to review the sale of electoral rolls by local authorities to commercial undertakings in the light of experience; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if he has received any complaints about the sale of electoral rolls to companies;
(3) if he has received any evidence suggesting that the sale of electoral rolls is breaching confidentiality and providing some help to criminals.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Representation of the People Regulations 1986 provide for the publication and supply of the electoral register, including the supply of copies at a prescribed fee. These provisions reflect the fact that the register is a public document which needs to be in wide circulation for electoral purposes; and the conclusion that its use by commercial organisations could not effectively be prevented. I am aware that sale of the register is unpopular with some members of the public, who may not always fully appreciate the reasons for it: we have received a number of complaints on the subject. Since the information contained in the register is already in the public domain, however, sale of the register cannot be held to constitute a breach of confidentiality; and we have no evidence to suggest that the register is used for criminal purposes. There are no current plans for a review of the position.