Oral Answers to Questions

Andy Slaughter Excerpts

Tuesday 20th March 2012 Commons Chamber

[Mr Harper]

Part of the reason for having the pilots was to learn some information. One thing that we found was that the data-matching pilots were less successful at improving completeness and accuracy, but very good at pre-verification, as I said to the hon. Member for Sheffield South East (Mr Betts). The hon. Member for Caerphilly (Mr David) will know that we plan to have further data-matching pilots, subject of course to parliamentary approval of the appropriate orders. That will build up further evidence, which will show Members that this system will be robust in improving the completeness and accuracy of the electoral register.

[Mr Andy Slaughter (Hammersmith) (Lab)]

8. What assessment he has made of the potential implications for the Parliament Acts of his proposals for House of Lords reform.

[The Deputy Prime Minister (Mr Nick Clegg)]

The Government’s proposals will maintain the primacy of the House of Commons and the Parliament Acts will continue to apply.

[Mr Slaughter]

It is easy to see why the Deputy Prime Minister is hooked on the Parliament Acts and on financial privilege, when the House of Lords has so far inflicted nine defeats on his Government on the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill alone. Will he explain why every Lib Dem peer voted to cut social welfare legal aid the day after his conference voted for the

“protection of fair and equal access to justice”?