Lord Bach still thinking about prisoners votes

Lord Bach still thinking about prisoners votes





17 Mar 2010 : Column WA206

Prisoners: Voting
Questions
Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill

To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their response to the view expressed by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in the Interim

17 Mar 2010 : Column WA207

Resolution of 3 December 2009 that the delay in implementing the Hirst judgment has given rise to a risk that the next general election will be conducted in a way that does not comply with the European Convention on Human Rights. [HL2569]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice (Lord Bach): The Government acknowledge the concerns raised by the Committee of Ministers in its Interim Resolution of 3 December 2009 and in its decision of 2 to 4 March. The Government are currently considering the most appropriate way forward in the light of the responses to the second stage consultation.

The Government remain committed to implementing the decision of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst v UK (No 2). However, the judgment does not have the effect of striking down the national law to which it relates. It is for Parliament to translate the obligations into domestic law. Until that point Section 3 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 remains in force.

Asked by Lord Lester of Herne Hill

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the Electoral Commission has suggested to them that prisoners could be enfranchised through a system of postal voting or proxy voting involving a modification to the existing declaration of local connection in electoral law. [HL2571]

Lord Bach: The Electoral Commission's response to the Government's second stage consultation on prisoners' voting rights, is available on the commission's website at http://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/search?isadvanced=false&form=simple&daat=on&query= prisoner+voting+rights.

"The Government are currently considering the most appropriate way forward in the light of the responses to the second stage consultation". Might I suggest a moral compass is employed?