Not sure I know what the original assertion by NUS was, but we get the
info from the uni admin office - we go & ask for it - well, we more
demand it - as we are entitled - & that is what other EROs do as far as
I am aware in England  - not so sure about Scotland....

Some I know just now get it as a matter of course from their Uni, as
habit has lead to it being done automatically. 

Given the aim is to get more people to vote, & making sure everyone who
can/should be registered is, as well as being quite legal under the
Regs, its not a bad thing making sure that anyone who can vote is
registered so enabling them to vote - with turnout at an all time low ,
we don't want anyone who wants to vote, can vote & should be able to
vote being disenfranchised.  
-------------------------------------- 

Mark R Heath 
Solicitor to the Council 
Legal & Democratic Services 
Southampton City Council 

*    023 8083 2371 (Phone) 
7    023 8083 2308 (Fax) 
*    [log in to unmask] 


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-----Original Message-----
From: This list is for those interested in Data Protection issues
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Kirsty E Gray
Sent: 15 October 2004 10:32
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [data-protection] Block registration of students on the
electoral roll


On Wed, 13 Oct 2004 09:26:55 +0100, Heath, Mark
<[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I have now checked, & unless I am missing something, it was Regulation 
>23 (1) Representation of the People (England & Wales) Regulations 2001.

>It states  --''A Registration Officer may require any person to give 
>information required for the purposes of that Officers duties in 
>maintaining registers of parliamentary and local government electors''.

But requires response to request for information from the ERO - so I
don't see how it relates to the original NUS assertion that SUs could
voluntarily 'block register'. From my local govt days I recall the ERO
asking landlords, for example, for tenant details if no return received.
Which he (sometimes) cross-referenced with Council Tax - being the only
'person' entitled to use CT data for other purposes! - before sending
specific letter to householder advising of their legal obligation to
register.

I know for certain that he did not populate the register with
information obtained in this way - it was to help him fill the gaps. As
we didn't have any student accomodation in the borough, didn't have to
consider contacting HEIs!

Responding to a request would be exempt from non-disclosure under
s.35(1) but I can't see how sending complete list of resident students
in advance of a request would be? Maybe I'm missing the point, but its
Friday & I'm tired!

Kirsty E Gray
Access to Information Advisor
Commission for Social Care Inspection

Note: comments for discussion and debate only and do not necessarily
reflect the corporate position of CSCI nor constitute legal advice.

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