§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what pay scales govern the payment of staff employed to count votes in parliamentary elections; and what difference there is between the day time rates and the rates paid between midnight and 6 a.m.
§ Mr. MayhewCounting staff are employed by the returning officer and it is for him to decide what rates of pay they receive. The maximum sum that the returning officer is entitled to claim from the Consolidated Fund for the employment of counting staff and all clerical and other assistance at a parliamentary election is prescribed by the Returning Officers' Expenses (England and Wales) Regulations 1979. These regulations are under review.
§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he advises returning officers to take 164W into account consideration of cost when deciding whether to count the votes in a parliamentary election in a county constituency overnight or the following day.
§ Mr. MayhewNo. Rule 44(1) of the parliamentary elections rules in schedule 1 to the Representation of the People Act 1983 requires the returning officers to make arrangements for counting the votes in the presence of the counting agents
as soon as practicable after the close of the poll".