§ Mr. Barnettasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will give the total cost of each of the elections to decide the future of Thamesmead, specifying (a) the cost of the elections run by private consultants and (b) the cost of the election run by the London borough of Bexley assisted by the London borough of Greenwich.
§ Sir George YoungThe referendum on the future of Thamesmead formed part of a wider project conducted by consultants, and cost about £18,000. The election of board members cost £12,650. The two exercises are not comparable.