Clause 7 - Encouraging Voting
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill
11:45 am
Mr Christopher Leslie (Parliamentary Secretary, Cabinet Office; Shipley, Labour)
I am always a happy individual, regardless of what the Electoral Commission might do. I would not want my happiness to be contingent on its activities. My understanding is that the Speaker's Committee scrutinises the estimates of the Electoral Commission and its proposed expenditure in advance of its activities being undertaken, so there is a measure of protection and accountability via Parliament in relation to the commission's putative activities. It would serve Opposition Members poorly if they undermined the protection that parliamentary accountability might bring to the commission's role.