Oral Answers to Questions

Chris Green Excerpts

Wednesday 14th November 2018 Commons Chamber

[Chloe Smith]

I am happy to take a closer look at the figure that the hon. Gentleman cites and the specifics of that case. I mention again the pilots that we have tested in 2018 and that will run again in 2019, which are about helping voters to be confident that the whole system—not only postal and proxy voting but the rest of the electoral system—is secure, by means of looking into ways for voters to identify themselves and show that they are who they say they are.

[Chris Green (Bolton West) (Con)]

Eric Pickles’s report “Securing the ballot” suggested that postal ballot applications should have to be made every three years. Is my hon. Friend looking into that suggestion?

[Chloe Smith]

I am grateful to Sir Eric Pickles, as was—

[Chris Green]

Lord Pickles, now.

[Chloe Smith]

Indeed. I am grateful to Lord Pickles for his report and his work, and we are looking carefully at the huge majority of his recommendations and taking them forward wherever we can.