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Representation of the People (Amendment) Regulations 2008

I am grateful to both noble Lords for what I take is their support for these regulations. I agree that when one first looks at this, it is a slight anomaly. Indeed, I asked the same question earlier today. As I understand it, there was a charge of £20 for a data copy and £10 for a paper one as an administration fee under the 2007 arrangement. For paper, £5 was charged for each complete, or part of, 1,000 entries, which is now £2; while £1.50 was charged for each complete, or part of, 1,000 entries in electronic format, which is now £1. These conclusions have been reached as the result of a widespread consultation and represent a fair way of making sure that local authorities do not lose out while at the same time ensuring that it is not too expensive for those who are entitled to mark registers. We are already committed to the principle of individual registration, but it is a far-reaching reform and needs to be undertaken with great care so that any new system is robust and actually tackles the problem of under-registration. Any move would require careful preparation. Unlike in Northern Ireland where there was a perception of over-registration, in Great Britain the problem is frankly one of under-registration, so we think that a rapid and unplanned move to individual registration would make the problem worse, not better. We support the principle, but it has not been determined how it could be implemented without causing significant numbers of eligible people to fall off the register. We wish to explore the issues involved with key stakeholders. On Question, Motion agreed to.