§ Mr. Temple-Morrisasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the rates of candidates' election expenses for (a) national and (b) local government 247W were last fixed; taking the £ sterling at 100p at that date, what is the current value of the £ sterling; if he will consider making any increases in these expenses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. JohnThe limits on candidates' expenses at parliamentary and local government elections —apart from GLC elections—were last raised in February 1974 and April 1974, respectively. Taking the £'s value at 100p in February 1974, its purchasing power in December 1976 was 60.5p. It would be appropriate for a Speaker's Conference to consider the question of an increase in the limits for parliamentary election expenses, but the Government are considering the introduction of legislation to increase the limits for local elections.