To ask the hon. Member for South West Devon, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission, whether the consultations with hon. Members concerning restrictions on the handling of postal ballots will start before or after those restrictions have been introduced.

The Electoral Commission intends to discuss its proposed changes to its Code of Conduct for Campaigners with hon. Members, as well as political parties, campaigners, returning officers and electoral registration officers in advance of any proposals being introduced. Members of Parliament will be invited and encouraged to respond to consultation on proposed changes to the code after the May 2014 elections.

If it is possible to successfully agree changes to the Code of Conduct for Campaigners, the Commission will encourage campaigners to commit to following a revised Code of Conduct for Campaigners for elections after 2014, including the May 2015 UK parliamentary general election. It will make public details of which parties and campaigners have agreed to follow the code.