HC Deb 15 December 1977 vol 941 cc904-5
22. Mr. Grocott

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will introduce legislation to increase the deposit for candidates at General Elections to the level that in real terms would be equivalent to the £150 that was introduced in 1918.

Mr. John

The Government consider that this matter should be considered by a Speaker's Conference on Electoral Law before amending legislation is prepared.

Mr. Grocott

It is not a fact that it is far too easy to stand for a parliamentary election, just for £150, Some people have not the remotest hope or intention of getting elected. The sum of £150, bearing in mind that it gives a free post to upwards of 100,000 people, is remarkably good value for even a commercial organisation. Is it not time that this deposit was increased?

Mr. John

I accept many of the points that my hon. Friend makes. The deposit was set at £150 in 1918. The comparable figure today would be £1,250. But, as I have said, this matter, which is concerned with electoral law, would best be considered by a Speaker's Conference. It is a great pity that no agreement has been arrived at about the setting up of a Speaker's Conference.

Mr. Cormack

Would the adoption of this suggestion be a suitably festive gesture to the hon. Members who sit on the Liberal Bench?

Mr. Wrigglesworth

Does my hon. Friend agree that it will be advisable to have the Speaker's Conference as quickly as possible because the level of the deposit has fallen so low that frivolous candidates can misuse the opportunity to advertise their interests in an election? Will my hon. Friend treat this as a matter of great urgency?

Mr. John

Again, I am constantly being asked to do something from which I do not dissent. I regard this matter as serious and I think that a Speaker's Conference should meet as soon as possible. But my hon. Friend will know that that can be arranged only by agreement.