HC Deb 17 February 1992 vol 204 cc1-2W
Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines are issued to town and parish councils about the use of polling cards supplied by borough councils in elections and by-elections.

Mrs. Rumbold

We issue no such guidelines to town and parish councils.

Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will take steps to require parish or town councils to display prominently, in more than one place, the notification of a by-election.

Mrs. Rumbold

We see no need to amend the existing requirements.

Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department by how much the expenses permitted to parliamentary candidates will rise for the 1992 general election over the amounts permitted at the general election of 1987.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend hopes to lay proposals on this matter before Parliament shortly.

Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to require parish and town councils to advertise an election or a by-election by issuing poll cards to each voter, where such poll cards are offered without a charge to the parish or town council concerned.

Mrs. Rumbold

It is for the parish council to decide whether it wishes to issue poll cards for an election or by-election when the poll is not combined with the poll at another election. We can see no reason for any change.

Sir David Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidelines he has issued for town and parish councils on the publication of notices concerning by-elections.

Mrs. Rumbold

We issue no such guidelines. The requirements for giving public notice of a casual vacancy on a town or parish council and for giving notice of a by-election are set out in sections 87(2) and 232 of the Local Government Act 1972 and in the Representation of the People Local Elections (Parishes and Communities) Rules 1986.