| Draft Representation of the People (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and Draft Representation of the People (Scotland) (Amendment) Regulations 2001 and Draft Scottish Parliament (Elections ETC.) (Amendment) (No. 3) Order 2001
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Mr. Mike O'Brien: I am grateful to the hon. Members for Surrey Heath (Mr. Hawkins) and for Hazel Grove (Mr. Stunell) for their support. I pay tribute to those Conservative Members who have assisted us in bringing the matter to our attention. We are grateful to them for doing so. In response to the hon. Member for Hazel Grove, the tightening of the timetable will put some extra pressure on electoral returning officers, with which they have told us they will be able to cope. Nevertheless, we shall monitor the application of the regulations and order to determine whether we need to make any other adjustments in order to get the process right. Such measures always have to be kept under some review, and we must listen carefully to what returning officers say. As the hon. Gentleman said, this is all about providing access to the right to vote—to the ballot—for more members of the public, which should be a good thing. Question put and agreed to. Resolved,
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| Prepared 30 April 2001 | |
