Written question asked by Harry Cohen (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 May 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 17 June 2002. It was answered by John Denham (Labour) on Monday, 17 June 2002 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what plans he has to ensure that police force computers contain a complete copy of the Electoral Roll on their local force computers; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to ensure that police force computers contain a complete copy of the electoral roll on their local force computers; and if he will make a statement. [59260] Mr. Denham: The Department for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (DTLR's) Electoral Legislation and Administration Branch, Democracy and Local Leadership Division have published, for consultation, draft Regulations under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 in relation to access to, and supply and sale of, electoral registers held and maintained by Electoral Registration Officers (EROs). Under these regulations the police forces in Great Britain and Northern Ireland (including the National Criminal Intelligence Service, the National Crime Squad and the Police Information Technology Organisation (PITO)) will be able to request, free of charge, copies of the full electoral roll. The information contained may be used for the purpose of the prevention and detection of crime and the enforcement of the criminal law.

Secondary information