---

Electoral Administration Bill

My noble friend raises an interesting point. Part of the purpose of the consultation, in looking at that, is to explore people’s views about the appropriate place for the record to be kept, and whether that fits with the Electoral Commission. My personal view—and this is me—is that it need not change the culture of the organisation. The commission would appear to be an appropriate place for the record to be kept. We have kept this matter flexible, and raised it in consultation, to explore that. My noble friend may know that in other countries—New Zealand is one example—this is exactly the approach that has been taken. If he has views on another organisation or place in which the record might be kept, it would be interesting to explore those—perhaps not today, but at another time. We are deliberately exploring the matter to see whether people have particular views on its relevance, but it does not necessarily mean a cultural change.