HL Deb 16 December 1997 vol 584 cc85-6WA
Baroness Lestor of Eccles

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What statistics the Home Office collates on expenditure of candidates in general elections.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The total expenses of candidates in general elections between 1857 and 1992 are set out in the following tables. Table 1 shows the actual expenditure. Table 2 has the figures indexed to 1992 prices.

The figures for the 1997 general election are not yet available.

Table 1: General Elections, 1857–1992 Total Expenses of Candidates
£ millions £ millions
1857 0.43 1929 1.21
1859 0.40 1931 0.65
1865 0.71 1935 0.72
1868 1.29 1945 1.07
1874 1.02 1950 1.17
1880 1.62 1951 0.95
1885 0.79 1955 0.90
1886 0.49 1959 1.05
1892 0.76 1964 1.23
1895 0.62 1966 1.14
1900 0.63 1970 1.47
1906 0.96 1974 February 2.10
1910 January 1.07 1974 October 2.26
1910 December 0.79 1979 3.69
1918 1983 6.31
1922 1.02 1987 8.31
1923 0.98 1992 10.78
1924 0.92

Figures are not available for the 1918 election.

Includes personal expenses.

Table 2: General Election Expenditure at 1992 Prices 1857–1992
£million £million
1857 26.51 1929 38.30
1859 25.09 1931 21.32
1865 39.72 1935 24.73
1868 72.97 1945 22.57
1874 53.20 1950 19.91
1880 93.96 1951 14.75
1885 49.18 1955 12.01
1886 30.45 1959 11.88
1892 47.10 1964 12.16
1895 39.16 1966 10.39
1900 35.87 1970 11.31
1906 56.00 1974 February 10.49
1910 January 61.48 1974 October 11.32
1910 December 45.52 1979 8.89
1918 1983 10.32
1922 27.73 1987 11.35
1923 29.08 1992 10.78
1924 27.79

Figures are not available for the 1918 election.

Includes personal expenses