Election Arrangements (Hansard, 24 February 2003)

§ Mr. Cash
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many submissions have been received to the Lord Chancellor's Department/ODPM consultation paper, 259W Combining English Local Authority, Greater London Authority and European Parliament Elections in 2004; and how many of the submissions support the proposals to move the date of the May 2004 elections. [97757]

§ Mr. Leslie
By the close of consultation on 31 January 2003 a total of 364 responses had been received. Of those responses expressing a view, 172 support the proposal to move the date of the May 2004 local and Greater London Authority elections and 138 are against.

§ Mr. Cash
To ask the Deputy Prime Minister when(a) his Department and (b) the Lord Chancellor's Department have had discussions with representatives from (a) the National Assembly for Wales, (b) electoral administrators, (c) the Greater London Authority, (d) the European Parliament and Commission, (e) local government representatives and (f) the Electoral Commission concerning the proposals to combine English local authority, Greater London Authority and European Parliament elections in 2004, (i) prior to the publication of the Government consultation paper on that topic and (ii) subsequent to the publication. [97759]

§ Mr. Leslie
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor's Department, as part of their ongoing contact with bodies interested in electoral matters, have had discussions with representatives of the National Assembly for Wales, electoral administrators, the Greater London Authority, local government representatives and the Electoral Commission about the idea of combining local council, Greater London and European Parliamentary elections. These have taken place both prior and subsequent to the publication in October 2002 of the consultation paper: "Combining English Local Authority, Greater London Authority and European Parliament Elections in 2004". The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor's Department has not held discussions about this proposal with either the European Parliament or the European Commission.