NKF Campaigns Zone:
Government & Parliament

Answers to Parliamentary Questions

ORGAN DONORS

883 Mr Mike Hancock (LD. Portsmouth South):

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of using the electoral registration form to increase the number of organ donors; what discussions he has had with (a) ministerial colleagues and (b) others about this scheme; if he will make it his policy to ensure the scheme continues; what other plans he has to increase the number of organ donors; and if he will make a statement. (128321)

MS WINTERTON

The Electoral Commission has issued guidance on including additional non-electoral material on or with electoral registration forms. Circular EC23/2003 can be found at http://www.electoralcommission.gov.uk. The guidance makes clear that the ultimate decision on whether or not to include any additional material with electoral registration forms rests with individual electoral registration officers.

People are encouraged to join the organ donor register through a number of initiatives, including when they apply for a driving licence, register with a new general practitioner or, apply for a new passport. Additionally, UK Transplant runs publicity campaigns and targets action to raise the profile of organ donation, including specific advertising and information campaigns to increase organ donation from the South Asian and black African and Caribbean populations.