§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Defence whether he has received any requests from returning officers for the use of RAF helicopters to transport ballot boxes to the count after the close of poll in parliamentary or local government elections; what is the approximate cost per hour of the use of helicopters for such a purpose; and what proportion of these costs is charged to the returning officer.
§ Mr. WigginThere is no record of any such request.