§ 39. Barbara FollettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures his Department is considering to reform election procedure. [95028]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMy right hon. Friend the Home Secretary published the final report of the Working Party on Electoral Procedures on 19 October. He has welcomed the report and will be seeking the earliest practical opportunity for a Bill to carry forward the body of its recommendations.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions took place on the issue of commercial use of the electoral register between the Home Office Working Party on Electoral Procedures and(a) direct marketing organisations, (b) credit agency organisations, (c) other business organisations, (d) consumer organisations and (e) the Data Protection Registrar; if any of those organisations or individuals were invited to present their views in person to the Home Office Working Party on Electoral Procedures; and if he will consult further with these organisations before final decisions are taken on those aspects of the proposed Bill on reforming electoral procedures which would affect the use of the electoral register for commercial purposes. [96846]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienDuring the lifetime of the Working Party, members of its Secretariat held meetings as follows: with representatives of direct marketing organisations on two occasions; representatives of credit agency organisations on four occasions; and representatives of other business associations on three occasions. The Data Protection Registrar, by virtue of her statutory advisory role, was invited to make a personal presentation at one meeting of the Working Party. Further consultation is taking place on the Working Party's recommendations for restrictions on the sale of the electoral register for non-electoral purposes.
§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if it is his Department's intention to publish the submissions made by businesses and individuals in response to the consultation document on 61W electoral procedures, with the exception of those who have asked for their submissions to remain private. [96847]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienNo. But any businesses or individuals can, of course, publish their own submissions if they wish to do so.
§ Mr. WoodwardTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce trials of early voting at elections other than the Greater London Authority elections. [96685]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Working Party on Electoral Procedures, which published its final report on 19 October, recommended that early voting should be among the electoral innovations included in pilot schemes.
The Government have welcomed the Working Party's recommendations. We intend to legislate to give effect to them as soon as Parliamentary time permits.