HL Deb 27 January 2003 vol 643 cc128-9WA
Lord Norton of Louth

asked Her Majesty's Government:

(a) What publicity was given to the right of electors to opt out of the electoral register made available to commercial purchases and (b) how many electors have exercised that right. [HL1021]

Baroness Scotland of Asthal

(a) The prescribed electoral registration form was amended to provide information about the new arrangements for the registration of electors from the 2002 canvass onwards and about the opt out box for persons who do not wish to be included in the edited version of the register. In addition, the Electoral Commission prepared an explanatory leaflet for electors, free of charge and available in several languages, about these changes, including the new edited register and the right for electors to choose not to be on it.

(b) Precise information on the number of electors who choose to opt out from the edited register in the 2002 canvass is not available. However, in a sample survey of registration forms returned to Electoral Registration Officers in England, an average of 25 per cent of electors exercised their right to opt out.