Electoral Administration Bill

We will try to think of a way to remind the noble Baroness before the end of our deliberations. The addition of a process of parliamentary approval would introduce further complications and time constraints, which we are not keen to see as we do not want to deter local authorities from applying. That is an important consideration, as any reduction in the number of pilots would be detrimental to our ability to test innovations that would modernise our electoral system. The Secretary of State has to assess the level of local political support for the proposal before granting approval. In the event that the composition of political parties on the council does not lend itself to that approach, or should support for a proposal be split, the Secretary of State would seek detailed reasons from the objecting parties setting out the grounds for objection before deciding whether the application should be approved. I assure the noble Baroness that the Government acknowledge the importance of Parliament having the final say on whether any local government pilot scheme should be adopted on a permanent basis. As the noble Baroness may know, it is for that reason that Section 11(3) of the Representation of the People Act provides for affirmative resolution procedure. The basis on which we want to be able to look at individual pilots is through the Secretary of State. Any that we sought to bring forward on a permanent basis would be subject to affirmative resolution procedure. I hope that the noble Baroness will feel that we have got the balance about right and that she will feel able to withdraw her amendment.