Hughes on the Electoral Register

11.36.51am GMT Fri 21st Mar 2008

[Mar 20] Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): What percentage of the electorate in (a) Greater London, (b) England and (c) Wales are registered to vote.

Peter Viggers (Gosport, Conservative): The total number that could be eligible to vote is not known with accuracy, and I cannot answer the hon. Gentleman's question in the form in which he put it. As of 21 December 2007, about 5.5 million people were registered to vote in local government elections in Greater London, and the other figures were 38.5 million in England and about 2.25 million in Wales. Past research by the commission suggests that the level of non-registration-for technical reasons, I must give the non-registration figure, rather than that for registration-in England and Wales was between 8 and 9 per cent., and in London it could be between 10 and 20 per cent., depending on the area.

Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for that helpful answer, confirming what many of us know and fear-the high level of non-registration, particularly in London, but also elsewhere. Given that it is only a few weeks before the latest date for getting on the electoral roll for the coming May elections in England and Wales, will he talk to his colleagues on the committee and in the Electoral Commission about the much-promised campaign to get people to vote, which was meant to happen each spring? Even if it has not happened this year, will he talk to his colleagues to provide some momentum in the remaining available days? People need to be encouraged to vote.

Peter Viggers (Gosport, Conservative): I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman. The last date to register is 16 April. He is right to ask about the commission's campaign to encourage registration. A significant advertising campaign will be launched after Easter on television and radio, in the outdoor press and online, supported by coverage in the local media. It would help to have a larger number registered, and the Electoral Commission believes that individual registration would encourage that.