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Electoral Administration Bill

I was coming to that point. Therefore, it is not harmless. I stand by the basic principle that underlies my approach, which is that I cannot see the point of the edited register. I am looking at this great picture that overlooks us of Moses bringing down the tables of the law, and I do not see an edited version of that. I really cannot see the argument for it, and my first choice would be to get rid of it. If we have to go to second choices, we could have a productive discussion along the lines mentioned. I welcomed the move initially to get away from having no choice, so in principle the step that was taken to have an edited register was better than the old system. I would like to go one further and get rid of it. If that is not to be achieved, I have two points, which have been touched on. The first is the opt-in option. There may be external pressures pushing us in that direction anyway. The second is the point that the noble Lord, Lord Goodhart, and I mentioned: if we are going to have an edited register we might as well charge more for it. In the context of what we are discussing today, why not utilise the extra money that could be raised for funding registration officers, who are under-resourced? I regard those as second best options, but a move forward from where we are now. I would be happy to discuss those with the Minister. I am grateful for her response. In the interim, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.