Mr. KINGasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he can furnish any figures showing the cost to local authorities of the registration of voters, the holding of revising barristers' courts, the printing of registers, and other charges incidental to our electoral system; and whether the proposed legislation in the direction of an extended and simplified franchise will be so framed as to lead to a relief of the burden of local taxation?
§ Mr. BURNSAccording to the Returns received by my Department, the total annual expenditure of local authorities in 205 England and Wales in connection with the registration of voters is about £270,000. In addition, half the cost of revising barristers is withdrawn from the Local Taxation Account and paid over to the Exchequer, instead of being distributed to the local authorities. The sum so withdrawn has for the last few years been £12,730. I cannot at present say anything as to the nature of future legislation on the subject of registration.
Mr. KINGWill the right hon. Gentleman give consideration to that aspect of the question relating to the need of the relief of local burdens?