Hansard

Prisoners: Voting Rights

Volume 685: debated on Monday 9 October 2006

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Lord Ramsbotham

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Statement by the Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 2 February (WS 26), what progress they have made regarding implementation of the public consultation on prisoners’ voting rights; and when the associated consultation document will be published.[HL7379]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Constitutional Affairs
(Baroness Ashton of Upholland)

A specific date for publication of the paper has not yet been set. However, the Government are hopeful that the paper will be published shortly after the end of the Summer Recess.

There are a number of potential options that could be pursued as a result of the Grand Chamber of the European Court of Human Rights judgment in the case of Hirst. The Government have been considering these carefully and will outline them in the consultation paper.