Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth on 15 September (HL1448), whether there is a specific timescale for the outcome of the Chief Electoral Officer's review regarding absent voting in Northern Ireland;  whether the details of the outcome of that review will be conveyed to Members of the House; and if so, how.

The review of absent voting procedures, including the timescale for completion, is an operational matter for the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland.

Once the review process is complete the Chief Electoral Officer will write to Northern Ireland Office Ministers to inform them of her findings. Any recommendations will be considered carefully and a copy of the letter will be placed in the libraries of the House.