§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) when the Government will implement the recommendations contained in the report entitled, "Administering Elections in Northern Ireland"; [119565]
(2) what measures he will introduce to counter abuse and reinforce the integrity of the Electoral Register; and if he will make a statement; [120703]
(3) what further progress he has made on combating electoral malpractice since May 1998; [120707]
(4) if he will introduce the electoral card proposal as outlined in the Second report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee, Session 1997–98, HC 316, on Electoral Malpractice; [120706]
(5) what improvements to electoral procedure he has announced since May 1998; [120704]
(6) when he will establish the team to investigate applications for absent and proxy votes that was referred to in the response from the Government to the Second report of the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee of Session 1997–98, HC 316, on Electoral Malpractice. [120705]
§ Mr. George HowarthThe report entitled "Administering Elections in Northern Ireland" contained a number of recommendations to counter the issue of electoral abuse and it is our intention to implement as many of them as is practical.
One of the major recommendations was the introduction of smart cards for voters. This remains our objective but further work is needed before we can be confident that a reliable, cost-effective system exists that would be resistant to abuse. However, the Government have already introduced legislation to extend the time available to the Chief Electoral Officer to scrutinise absent vote applications and has extended to Northern Ireland the provisions of the Representation of the People Act which makes provision for rolling registration and hence a more accurate electoral register. Additionally, officials are exploring the role which enhanced computerisation and increased staffing might play in assisting the Chief Electoral Officer in the scrutiny process.
Many of the other recommendations contained in the report will require legislation by bill. We would hope to find Parliamentary time for this before the General Election, but the timing of this will depend on the time of the election.