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Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Henley (Conservative). It was answered on Thursday, 12 November 2009.

Prisoners: Voting

Question: My Lords, will the Minister confirm—I think that he will—that following the judgment there is no obligation on this country to give the vote to all prisoners? We can limit it to some prisoners and that "some" can be very limited.

Answer: I can confirm what the noble Lord, Lord Henley, has put to me—he is absolutely right. The European Court of Human Rights did not say which prisoners should be given the vote. The court held that the blanket ban was unlawful—of course we accept that—but expressly recognised that each member state has some discretion as to who should be given the vote. It is on that basis that the second consultation has been held.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 714 c896
Session: 2008-09
Oral question type: Supplementary
Chamber / Committee: House of Lords chamber
Subjects: Prisoners Public consultation Voting rights
Link: View this Oral question on www.publications.parliament.uk