§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission222W concerning the method of voting to be used in the referendums for elected regional assemblies; and what advice he has received from the Commission on this issue. [159823]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister published consultation papers and draft Orders on 18 December 2003 on the detailed procedures by which the all-postal referendums would be governed. The Electoral Commission has published its response to that consultation, which is available from www. electoralcommission.org.uk.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is in the process of consulting the Electoral Commission, as required by the Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Act 2003, before the Orders governing the referendums are laid in Parliament.