§ 38. Mr. EVERARDasked the Home Secretary whether he can state the cost to the taxpayers and ratepayers of the production of the Spring Register of Parliamentary and Local Government Electors; and whether, in the interests of economy, he will consider legislation to reduce the registers to one annually, and reduce the qualifying period from six months to three months?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSThe cost of the Spring Register is, approximately, £445, 000, which is shared equally between the taxpayers and ratepayers; but it must not be assumed that the saving consequent on the adoption of the proposal in the question would amount to this sum. The Government are examining the possibility of effecting economies in connection with the registration of electors, but I am not in a position to make any statement at present.