Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

Debate between Lord Falconer of Thoroton and Lord Beecham

Monday 20th December 2010 Lords Chamber

[Lord Falconer of Thoroton]

I agree with the noble Lord when he says that it is better than the previous five boundary reviews. I agree with him that my noble friend Lord Wills made a major contribution to that and that we did a lot to deal with the issue. The evidence that I rely on is the March 2010 report of the Electoral Commission. Although the electoral register prepared in April indicated some improvements, the speech that I made earlier indicates the fundamental problems in relation to the register, which the Electoral Commission identified. I would be extremely surprised and concerned if the noble and learned Lord, Lord Wallace of Tankerness, departed from the position of the Electoral Commission in relation to that. Yes, we have made improvements, but there is still a long way to go, in particular in relation to the private rented sector, young people and black and minority ethnic groups. There is a very substantial group of people who are not on the electoral register but who could be if an effort was made.

[Lord Beecham]

Will my noble and learned friend comment on the likely impact of individual registration, which is shortly to come, on the total on the register?