Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

David Nuttall Excerpts
Tuesday 11th February 2014

(10 years, 2 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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As I have just said, £4.2 million has been made available across the country, the majority of which has gone to the electoral registration officers in local authorities, who know their area best. They have been invited to concentrate on the areas of under-registration, which have historically included schools. There are good examples of lessons and materials that can be used in schools that have a demonstrated record of achievement in enthusing young people and getting them to register, and I hope that the hon. Lady will be able to do the same in Derbyshire.

David Nuttall Portrait Mr David Nuttall (Bury North) (Con)
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The Minister is clearly doing a good job of ensuring that the register is accurate, but may I urge him to check that the people who turn up to vote are actually the people on the register?

Greg Clark Portrait Greg Clark
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My hon. Friend makes an important point about accuracy. The duties of electoral registration officers involve ensuring accuracy as well as completeness. The transition to individual electoral registration is precisely to ensure that the identity of people on the register can be confirmed, which does not happen at the moment. That will be a major step forward for the security of our electoral system.