HL Deb 05 October 1998 vol 593 c81WA
Lord Campbell of Croy

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to ensure that disabled people and their carers are made aware of the availability of postal and proxy votes and of the need to be registered for these well before polling day. [HL3287]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

Government and local authority publicity campaigns to advertise the arrangements for absent voting take place before each parliamentary general election. In addition, electoral registration officers publicise the availability of absent voting as part of the annual registration canvass.

The Working Party on Electoral Procedures, chaired by my honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the Home Office, Mr. Howarth, is working to consolidate and improve advice to electoral administrators on disability issues; and in addition is reviewing the arrangements for access to absent voting. Home Office officials from the working party meet regularly in a forum with representatives from all the major groups representing the disabled to inform this work.