§ Mr. Sharpasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what is the purpose of now requiring from candidates for election to the Stanley Town Council in the Falkland Isles, a deposit of £25; under what circumstances this is returned; whether any representations have been made to him against this stipulation; and what action he proposes taking.
Mr. Creech JonesThe purpose is to guard against the misuse of the elections for frivolous purposes. The deposit is returnable if the candidate is elected, if he obtains not less than one-sixth of the total votes validly polled, or if he resigns his candidature at any time not less than seven days prior to the date of the poll. No representations have been made to me on the subject, but I understand that, after discussion between the Governor 333W and members of the Town Council in October last year, the deposit has been reduced to £10.