37. Lieut.-Colonel GUINNESSasked the Minister of Health whether he can give the annual cost involved in the revision and publishing of two registers annually under the Representation of the People Act; and what estimated saving would be attained by publishing only one register every year?
§ Mr. BALDWINThe estimated annual cost of registration (including printing) for England and Wales, and Scotland on the basis of the existing franchise is £1,750,000, of which one-half is borne by the State, and one-half by local authorities. It is difficult to estimate accurately the saving which would be attained if only one register were prepared and published every year, but it would probably be from one-third to two-fifths of the above sum. In Ireland, where only one register is prepared each year, the annual cost is estimated to be £135,000.
§ Sir R. COOPERCan the hon. Gentleman say what will be the cost to the country of getting out a new register, to embrace women up to twenty-one?