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Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill

Perhaps I should enlist the hon. Gentleman to help me on the Front Bench to answer these questions from his own political experience. To underpin confidence in the register, the Bill gives the Secretary of State the power to conduct a canvass if the chief electoral officer thinks that it is necessary to refresh the register. A canvass is scheduled for 2010 as a safeguard, but it could be cancelled, with the consent of Parliament, if the chief electoral officer recommended that it was unnecessary. Otherwise, a full canvass will take place every 10 years. In addition, the Bill provides for the introduction of an anonymous registration scheme and a new late registration window. The measures broadly mirror changes being introduced in the rest of the United Kingdom by the Electoral Administration Bill, as the Government believe that it is right that the citizens of Northern Ireland should enjoy the same rights as those of the rest of the UK. The measures will, however, reflect the differences in electoral law and practice between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK, and the particular circumstances in Northern Ireland, including those highlighted by the hon. Member for Belfast, East. The reforms to the rules on political donations will increase public confidence by injecting greater openness into party funding and setting Northern Ireland firmly on the road to complete transparency. It is right that donations to Northern Ireland parties should be subject to scrutiny, just as donations to other parties in the House are.