HC Deb 22 February 2000 vol 344 cc865-6W
Mr. Hawkins

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what was the cost to public funds of the freepost election mailing in(a) the 1997 General Election, (b) the Scottish Parliament elections, (c) the Welsh Assembly elections and (d) the Northern Ireland Assembly elections; and what estimate he has made of cost of the freepost mailing he has authorised in the Watford local authority area election. [111521]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

The costs to public funds of the free election mailings were as follows:

Election Cost (£)
1997 General Election 117,770,103.80
Scottish Parliament Elections 24,629,603.05
Welsh Assembly Elections 22,243,929.14
Northern Ireland Assembly Elections 1,083,427.95
1 At 1997 value
2 Year at 1999 value

The cost of any freepost facility offered to candidates standing for election to Watford Council would be met by the Council itself. The Council estimate that this would be in the region of £6,500.