To ask the hon. Member for Gosport, representing the Speaker's Committee on the Electoral Commission what guidance is issued by the Electoral Commission to electoral registration officers on their duty to maintain accurate electoral registers in relation to illegal immigrants. (182137)

The Electoral Commission informs me that it has provided guidance to Electoral Registration Officers in Great Britain that if there are any doubts about an applicant's eligibility in relation to immigration status, the Electoral Registration Officer has the power to require a statutory declaration of eligibility, under Regulation 24(2)(d)(ii) of the Representation of the People Regulations 2001.