Electoral Administration Bill

No, clearly I am not, because my noble friend is coming back to ask me questions. I referred to page 12 of the consultation document, which sets out some of the benefits. I do not underestimate the importance of opportunities that are provided to look at the way in which we have information about our electorate and the need to access it. I put an emphasis on the political parties because they are a critical part of the electoral process. It is essential that they are able to get information that is of value to them to make sure that they have access to the electorate for the things that political parties need to do. The Electoral Commission also has an important role to play. In the consultation paper, we set out the ways we think bringing the information together in this record, not in a register, would benefit organisations that need to have access to it and which would find it of great use and benefit to have it in a single, appropriate way. We also indicated the potential that this could have for tackling some of the issues that noble Lords are concerned about in this legislation and beyond.