Schedule 1
Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
4:15 pm
David Hanson (Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office; Delyn, Labour)
I fully understand what my hon. Friend is trying to achieve, and I have some sympathy with the points that he makes. However, I do not think that it would be appropriate for us to put such things in primary legislation; that should be an operational matter for the Electoral Commission. My officials in the Northern Ireland Office have discussed with the Electoral Commission the location and security of any records that might be made under this legislation. It has indicated that so far as it is aware, provisionally until the Bill becomes law, the intention is that it should not hold any donation reports from Northern Ireland in premises in Belfast. I hope that that reassures my hon. Friend. The security of information is particularly important to the Commission; it takes it very seriously and is aware of the sensitivities in relation to Northern Ireland. While it is an operational matter and I hope that the legislation will not fetter it, the concerns that my hon. Friend has expressed are understood by the Electoral Commission and, having discussed the matter with my officials, I have every confidence that it will act appropriately.