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Representation of the People (England and Wales) and the Representation of the People (Combination of Polls) (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2007

The point is well made by the noble Baroness. We shall consider this matter with some urgency and report back to the Committee. The noble Lord, Lord Rennard, was more positive about the regulations, for which we are grateful. He made a number of general points about what might be done on an annual basis, which we take on board. He asked about individual registration as described in the CSPL report. The Government note the findings of that report and will respond to it in due course. My noble friend Lord Jones asked how the effects came about. Legislation was constructed so that the issue of a ballot paper was conditional on signature. However, there was no specific sanction provision. This gave rise to doubt, a risk of inconsistent approach and a legal challenge. On the advice of the commission and the Association of Electoral Administrators, we have decided not to commence this measure yet, but we take on board all the concerns raised. I say to my noble friend that in any organisation and in any walk of life mistakes are made. I made a huge number in my career as a publisher. It happens. If I may go on the offensive for a moment, it is a bit hard on the Government to take one example and say that it is indicative of something more than a particular incident. I am not in a position, nor would I wish, to start attributing blame for this matter either to Ministers or in particular to civil servants.