Whether the Electoral Commission has recently been consulted on changing the method by which hon. Members are elected.

The commission understands that the Government are conducting research to examine the experience of new voting systems introduced to United Kingdom elections since 1997. The commission has not been asked to contribute to that process, nor is there an obligation on the Government to consult the commission in those circumstances.

I hope that there will be no change to the method of electing hon. Members to this House, but if proposals are to be made I ask that the equalisation of numbers in constituencies be considered.

Although there is statutory provision to transfer the responsibility for parliamentary constituencies to the Electoral Commission, that provision has not yet been implemented. However, my hon. Friend has made his point and I am sure that it will be heard.