Written question asked by Chris Ruane (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 December 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 15 December 2005. It was answered by Baroness Harman (Labour) on Monday, 19 December 2005 on behalf of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

Electoral Registration

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs if she will conduct research into the impact of functional illiteracy on electoral registration rates.

Answer: The Electoral Commission published its report ““Understanding Electoral Registration”” in September this year. Although the research did not specifically address the impact of functional illiteracy, it found some significant gaps in people's awareness and knowledge of the registration process.There are no plans to conduct research into the impact of functional illiteracy on electoral registration rates; but my Department is working with key stakeholders on improving the annual canvass form by making it clearer, simpler and easy to understand.

Secondary information