HC Deb 14 December 1956 vol 562 cc89-90W
Mr. McKibbin

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his attention has been drawn to inaccuracies in the figures quoted as the legal maximum for candidates' expenses in Northern Ireland constituencies in column 7 on pages 83–85 of the Return of the expenses of each candidate in the General Election of May, 1955; and whether he will, accordingly, take steps to amend the Return.

Major Lloyd-George

Yes. A mistake was made in compiling the return by including in the legal maximum for a candidate's expenses in a Northern Ireland constituency the basic amount of £450 which only applies to Great Britain constituencies. Consequently the figures given in column 7 of the return for Northern Ireland constituencies are in each case £450 above the correct amount. I wish to express to the House and to hon. Members for Northern Ireland constituencies in particular my deep regret that this unfortunate mistake should have been made. An address for an amendment of the return will be moved as soon as possible.