§ Lord Greavesasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether United Kingdom local authorities (other than parishes), who wish to conduct consultative referendums among their electorate, can use the full electoral register. [HL931]
§ Lord RookerThe Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has been advised that the Representation of the People (England and Wales) Regulations 2001 prevent local authorities using the full electoral register for the purpose of conducting a local referendum. However, while local authorities have the right to decide who is polled, we recognise the importance of local authorities being able to conduct such referendums on a full franchise, and we are considering how to achieve this while maintaining security of information on the full electoral register.