To ask Her Majesty’s Government further to the Written Answer by Lord Bach on 7 May (WA 145–6), whether in their second consultation on implementing the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in Hirst (No. 2) v United Kingdom they will consult prisoners. [HL5303]

The second consultation on the voting rights of convicted prisoners was opened on 8 April 2009. We have sought to engage directly with a broad range of groups and organisations that support or campaign on behalf of prisoners, and sent copies of the consultation to organisations representing prisoners, together with other stakeholders, including those organisations who represent victims of crime.

Although we have already received some responses from serving prisoners, in the light of the limitations prisoners may face in accessing the consultation, we have also sent a communication to prison governors requiring them to take steps to ensure that prisoners are aware of the consultation if they have not already done so. We welcome responses from all those with an interest in this issue.