§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will make a statement on the penalties for electoral malpractice;
(2) what proposals he has to increase the penalties for corrupt or illegal electoral practices;
(3) what proposals he has for the revision of the law on illegal electoral practices.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe penalties for corrupt practices, illegal practices and other offences are set out in the Representation of the People Act 1983. We have no proposals for revising the law.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for amendment of the legislation on the conduct of elections.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe have set up five working groups of Home Office officials and representatives of returning officers and local authorities to consider different aspects of the electoral process. We shall consider the findings of the working groups once they have concluded their work.
§ Mr. William RossTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proposals he has for extension of the time for submission of electoral expense returns.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe have no such proposals.