Scottish Affairs CommitteeSupplementary written evidence submitted by Rt Hon Michael Moore MP, Secretary of State for Scotland

Extending the Franchise to 16 and 17 Year Olds

I was grateful to you and the Committee for the opportunity to give evidence on the matter of the proposed independence referendum in Scotland. You invited me to confirm that no formal representations have been made by Scottish Ministers on changing the local government (and by extension, the Scottish Parliament) franchise to include 16 and 17 year olds.

As I said at the time, I can only answer for the period since May 2010. Certainly, since this date, there has been no communication or meeting at Ministerial level through which a request has been made to change the local government franchise, which as you know is a reserved matter. My officials inform me that, whilst they have been made aware from time to time of the Scottish Government’s position on 16 and 17 year olds voting, no approach has been made on the specific point of amending the local government (and, thus, the Scottish Parliament) franchise.

I hope this assists the Committee with its work and I look forward to receiving a copy of your report in due course.

March 2012