§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the change in turnout in elections in each local council area in England which held all-postal vote elections on 1 May was when compared with turnout in the previous local council election; and if he will make a statement. [112371]
§ Mr. LeslieTurnout at each of the all-postal pilot elections in May 2003 is shown in the table. 119W
Name of authority Year of comparable election Percentage of turnout at last comparable election Type of election this time (full/third) Percentage turnout 2003 Change in percentage since last comparable election Blackpool BC 2000 29 Whole 50.43 21 Blyth Valley BC 1999 27 Whole 52.00 25 Bolton MBC 2002 32 Thirds 42.00 10 Brighton and Hove City C 1999 38 Whole 45.96 8 Chesterfield BC 1999 35 Whole 51.69 17 Copeland BC 1999 39 Whole 55.70 17 Corby BC 1999 31 Whole 43.00 12 Darlington BC 1999 34 Whole 51.54 17 Derwentside, Chester-le-Street and Wear Valley (Joint Pilot) 1999 31 Whole 52.40 21 Doncaster C 2002 29 Thirds 47.00 18 East Staffordshire BC 1999 34 Whole 44.97 11 Gateshead MBC1 2002 57 Thirds 54.65 -2 Guildford BC 1999 37 Whole 54.00 17 Herefordshire CC 1999 38 Whole 61.00 23 Hyndburn BC 2002 36 Thirds 51.47 15 Kings Lynn and West Norfolk 1999 36 Whole 47.66 12 Lincoln City C 2002 26 Thirds 47.33 21 Newcastle City C 2002 32 Thirds 49.83 18 North Lincolnshire 1999 33 Whole 51.28 18 North Shropshire DC 1999 33 Whole 47.00 14 Redcar and Cleveland BC 1999 37 Whole 51.50 14.50 Rotherham MBC 2002 27 Thirds 51.30 24 Rushcliffe BC 1999 40 Whole 54.00 14 Salford City C 2002 25 Thirds 41.00 16 Sedgefield BC 1999 30 Whole 44.15 14 St. Edmundsbury BC 1999 38 Whole 38.50 0 St. Helens MBC 2002 26 Thirds 48.00 22 Stevenage BC1 2002 53 Thirds 52.20 -1 Stockton-on-Tees BC 1999 31 Whole 52.00 21 Sunderland City C 2002 22 Thirds 46.46 24 Trafford MBC1 2002 53 Thirds 52.39 -1 Telford and Wrekin 1999 28 Whole 48.65 19 Wansbeck DC 1999 32 Whole 50.20 18 Comparisons for Gateshead, Stevenage and Trafford are with previous all-postal elections It is clear that all-postal voting has produced a significant increase in turnout, with an average across all 33 pilots of just under 50 per cent. The Electoral Commission, as required by statute, are evaluating each pilot scheme.
§ Bob RussellTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what representations he has received about abuses in the postal vote system in the May local government elections in England; what steps he is taking to investigate alleged abuses; and if he will make a statement. [112493]
§ Mr. LeslieThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister receives occasional correspondence about concerns with postal voting. Investigation of alleged abuses in the voting system is a matter for the returning officer concerned, the police, and the Crown Prosecution Service.
The Electoral Commission is carrying out a full evaluation of all electoral pilots held at the May 2003 local elections, including those involving all-postal voting. They have also completed a review of absent voting. The Government will be considering their recommendations very carefully.