Written question asked by Nigel Evans (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 November 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 November 2004. It was answered by Chris Mullin (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 November 2004 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what action he is taking to ensure that British High Commissions are providing information for British citizens on how to vote in any forthcoming general election.

Answer: Mr. Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he is taking to ensure that British High Commissions are providing information for British citizens on how to vote in any forthcoming general election. [196737] Mr. Mullin: In advance of a general election, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) instructs all its missions overseas, including British High Commissions, to seek every opportunity to publicise the provisions for overseas electors. This includes issuing press releases, using radio and TV broadcasts, and seeking free advertising space in local English-language newspapers. We have also assisted the Electoral Commission in its efforts to make available information on overseas voter registration. Working with the Commission, we have developed guidance for the FCO website www.fco.gov.uk linked to the Electoral Commission's own website www.electoralcommission.org.uk where registration forms are available. We have made the guidance available on a majority of the FCO's local Post websites and on our internal intranet.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 196737; 426 c721W;426 c725-6W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Absent voting British nationality Elections Electorate General elections Publicity Overseas residence Voting methods
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk