HC Deb 05 May 1936 vol 311 cc1527-8
57. Mr. DAY

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what was the cost to the Exchequer, including capital expenditure incurred by the Office of Works and the Stationery Office, owing to the General Election in November, 1935?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the TREASURY (Mr. W. S. Morrison)

The accounts for the last General Election have not been finally settled, but the total cost will amount to approximately £480,000. This figure includes a charge in respect of the capital expenditure incurred by the Office of Works and the Stationery Office on the supply of election equipment and also includes the estimated cost of free postage facilities provided by the General Post Office.

Mr. DAY

Does that figure take into account any of the deposits that were forfeited?

Mr. MORRISON

No, Sir; those items appear on the other side of the balance sheet. They amounted to £12,000, which was paid into the Exchequer.

Mr. RADFORD

Does my hon. Friend not agree that the results, from the nation's point of view, were well worth a far greater expenditure?