Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: Cabinet Office

Oral Answers to Questions

Gregory Campbell Excerpts
Tuesday 26th March 2013

(11 years, 1 month ago)

Commons Chamber
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Chloe Smith Portrait Miss Smith
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My hon. Friend raises an important point. As I mentioned in my previous answer, we all wish to see the greatest possible level of registration across all groups in society. We are running data matching scheme pilots aimed specifically at students and young people who are about to obtain the franchise. I look forward to his help on that in his university area, and that of other Members.

Gregory Campbell Portrait Mr Gregory Campbell (East Londonderry) (DUP)
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Working-class areas across the United Kingdom are quite often the areas where voter registration is lowest. Will the Minister ensure that they are targeted by both the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Office for Northern Ireland to ensure maximum registration in those areas?

Chloe Smith Portrait Miss Smith
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I can reassure the House that we are working with both the Electoral Commission, and, of course, electoral registration offices and administrators in all parts of the United Kingdom, to make the programme a success. In response to the hon. Gentleman’s particular concern about people in both his constituency and others, we expect EROs of particular local authorities to know their areas best and to work with us.