§ Colonel WEDGWOODasked the Minister of Health whether the register prepared under the Representation of the People Act for the year 1920–21 cost the Wolstanton Urban District Council £647 5s. 3d.; whether Newcastle-under-Lyme and Audley Urban District Council also paid similar sums; the average cost in a complete constituency of preparing a register; and whether he has any plans for reducing such expenditure in future?
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§ Mr. SHORTTMy right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. I am informed by the Wolstanton Urban District Council that payments amounting to the sum stated in the question were made during the year ended 31st March, 1921, towards the cost of two registers, but it is not quite clear to what registers the payments relate. The total cost of the two registers for 1920 for the constituency of Newcastle-under-Lyme was £1,748, of which sum one-half would fall to be borne by the three local authorities concerned. Certain changes were introduced last year which have reduced the total annual cost of registration by over £500,000. The full effect of these changes was not apparent until the Autumn Register, 1920. The average cost of this register worked out at approximately £836 per constituency, of which a half is borne by the Exchequer. Efforts will continue to be made to secure further savings wherever practicable.