§ Mr. Tom HarrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what consultation his Department has initiated on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds. [58867]
§ Dr. WhiteheadWe have initiated no consultation on the extension of the franchise to 16 and 17 year olds. However, as I informed the House in my answer of 22 November 2001 to the hon. Member for Montgomeryshire (Lembit Opik),Official Report, columns 755W, we would welcome a public debate on the issue. It is also open to the Electoral Commission to consider it and make recommendations for future policy.