asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what special studies he has ordered with a view to shortening the period of time that elpases between a person's twenty-first birthday and the date on which he may vote.

This is one of the matters which my right hon. Friend has noted for consideration and consultation between the parties after the General Election.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that many young persons share the opinion of the Home Secretary that the present arrangements are far from ideal? Can there be any change in the law unless there has been a special preparatory study?

I do not think that any preparatory study is necessary to support the opinion of my right hon. Friend that the present state of the law is not ideal. It is also complicated, and we certainly intend to try to simplify it.