Oral Answers to Questions

Duncan Hames Excerpts

Tuesday 30th November 2010 Commons Chamber

The hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission, was asked—

[Duncan Hames (Chippenham) (LD)]

4. What discussions the Electoral Commission has had with the Deputy Prime Minister on the effect on the electoral system of accepting young people onto the electoral roll at the point at which they are issued with a national insurance number.

[Mr Gary Streeter (South West Devon)]

The Electoral Commission has had no such specific discussions. However, it has had discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister about how national data sources can be used to improve registration, including among young people, as part of the Government’s proposals for implementing individual electoral registration in Great Britain.

[Duncan Hames]

Even though the franchise begins at age 18, will the hon. Gentleman acknowledge the benefits to young voter engagement of allowing them on to the register at age 16, when they are issued with a national insurance number, rather than waiting until the year in which they turn 18?

[Mr Streeter]

That decision is very much a matter for the Government and not the Electoral Commission. I understand that there is a range of views on that subject within the House.