Electoral Administration Bill — 20 Jun 2006 at 15:30

LORDS AMENDMENTS

<[i>The page and line references are to HL Bill 58 as first printed for the Lords.]

8: Insert the following new clause-

"REGISTRATION: PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS

(1) The 1983 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In section 10 (maintenance of registers: annual canvass), after subsection (4) insert-

"(4A) Subject to subsection (4B) below, the information to be obtained by the use of such a form for the purpose of a canvass shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons in relation to whom the form is completed, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(4B) The Chief Electoral Officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read."

(3) In section 10A (maintenance of registers: registration of electors)-

(a) after subsection (1B) insert-

"(1C) Subject to subsection (1D) below, an application for registration in respect of an address in England, Scotland or Wales shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons to whom the application relates, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(1D) The Chief Electoral Officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read.";

(b) in subsection (5), at the beginning insert "Subject to subsection (5A) below,";

(c) after subsection (5) insert-

"(5A) A person's name is to be removed from the register in respect of any address if-

(a) the form mentioned in section 10(4) above in respect of that address does not include all the information relating to him required by section 10(4A) above; or

(b) the registration officer determines that he is not satisfied with the information relating to that person which was included in that form pursuant to that requirement.";

(d) in subsection (6), after "above" insert "or his name is to be removed from it by virtue of subsection (5A) above,"; and

(e) in subsection (8), after "5" insert ", (5A)".

(4) In section 13A (alteration of registers), after subsection (2B) insert-

"(2C) Subject to subsection (2D) below, an application for registration under subsection (1)(a) above in respect of an address in the United Kingdom shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons to whom the application relates, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(2D) The Chief Electoral Officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read.""

The Commons disagree to this amendment for the following reason-

8A: Because it is not appropriate for personal identifiers to be collected as part of the registration process for all purposes

rose to move, as an amendment to the above Motion, at end insert "but do propose Amendment No. 8B in lieu":

8B: Before Clause 13, insert the following new clause-

"REGISTRATION: PERSONAL IDENTIFIERS

(1) The 1983 Act is amended as follows.

(2) In section 10 (maintenance of registers: annual canvass), after subsection (4) insert-

"(4A) Subject to subsection (4B) below, the information to be obtained by the use of such a form for the purpose of a canvass shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons in relation to whom the form is completed, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(4B) The registration officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read."

(3) In section 10A (maintenance of registers: registration of electors)-

(a) after subsection (1B) insert-

"(1C) Subject to subsection (1D) below, an application for registration in respect of an address in England, Scotland or Wales shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons to whom the application relates, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(1D) The registration officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read.";

(b) in subsection (5), at the beginning insert "Subject to subsection (5A) below,";

(c) after subsection (5) insert-

"(5A) A person's name is to be removed from the register in respect of any address if-

(a) the form mentioned in section 10(4) above in respect of that address does not include all the information relating to him required by section 10(4A) above; or

(b) the registration officer determines that he is not satisfied with the information relating to that person which was included in that form pursuant to that requirement.";

(d) in subsection (6), after "above" insert "or his name is to be removed from it by virtue of subsection (5A) above,"; and

(e) in subsection (8), after "5" insert ", (5A)".

(4) In section 13A (alteration of registers), after subsection (2B) insert-

"(2C) Subject to subsection (2D) below, an application for registration under subsection (1)(a) above in respect of an address in the United Kingdom shall include-

(a) the signature of each of the persons to whom the application relates, and

(b) the date of birth of each such person.

(2D) The registration officer may dispense with the requirement mentioned in subsection (4A)(a) above in relation to any person if he is satisfied that it is not reasonably practicable for that person to sign in a consistent and distinctive way because of any incapability of his or because he is unable to read.""

On Question, Whether the said amendment shall be agreed to?

Their Lordships divided: Contents, 156; Not-Contents, 147.

Debate in Parliament | Source |