Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government further to the Written Answer by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage on 29 June (HL1025), whether their discussions with the Electoral Commission included the merits of requiring the publication of official turnout figures in local contests where voters are able to cast more than one vote; and if so, what was the outcome of those discussions.

The power in clause 49 of the Representation of the People Bill is intended to support the provision of election-related information to electors, including information about elections and referendums in their area, candidates standing for election and polling station locations. Government discussions with the Electoral Commission on the use of this power have therefore focused on how best to improve access to this information for voters. They have not focused on requirements for the publication of official turnout figures for local contests.