HC Deb 16 January 1996 vol 269 c495W
Mr. Byers

To ask the President of the Board of Trade how much the Government have paid to trade unions towards the costs of conducting postal ballots under legislation in each year since their introduction. [9812]

Mr. John M. Taylor

The costs of the trade union ballot refunds for the scheme, by calendar year since its inception, are as follows:

  • 1980: No applications
  • 1981: £12,935
  • 1982: £26,149
  • 1983: £85,072
  • 1984: £72,498
  • 1985: £1,392,982
  • 1986: £738,301
  • 1987: £1,158,801
  • 1988: £869,448
  • 1989: £1,339,582
  • 1990: £2,636,766
  • 1991: £4,082,383
  • 1992: £4,259,860
  • 1993: £3,382,803
  • 1994: £1,899,955
  • 1995: £1,095,236.