HC Deb 11 April 1946 vol 421 cc2071-2
21. Colonel Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department the estimated average cost to public funds, reckoned per seat, of a contested election in a county council, rural district council or urban district council area.

The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Ede)

The expenses incurred in holding elections of county and district councillors are paid by the county or district council concerned, and I regret that I have no information as to the average cost.

Mr. Alpass

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that the changes are worth the money expended?

Colonel Clarke

Does not the right hon. Gentleman consider that in view of the considerable number of cases involved candidates should put up a deposit, as they have to do in the case of election for the House of Commons?

Mr. Ede

This matter has been considered by the local authority associations and Government- Departments concerned, but there appears to have been no general demand for it.