asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will change the timetable for elections to the House of Commons to bring them closer into line with elections to the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the European Parliament and local authorities. [HL1249]

The Government keep the conduct of elections under review. They are considering a proposal that the timetable for the elections to the House of Commons should be extended to bring it closer to the elections to the Welsh Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the European Parliament and local authorities.

The timetable for the election to the House of Commons starts with the receipt of the writ from the Clerk of the Crown by the Returning Officer and ends 17 working days later on election day. For the elections to the Welsh Assembly, Scottish Parliament, the European Parliament and local authorities the election timetable starts with the issue of the notice of election, which may be no later than 25 days before the election day.