HC Deb 06 June 1997 vol 295 c268W
Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to introduce proposals to increase the deposit in general elections. [2471]

Mr. George Howarth

At this stage, we have no plans to increase the deposit for candidates at a parliamentary election.

Mr. Winnick

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what percentage of the present sum the original £150 deposit for general elections introduced in 1918 would be if it had been increased in line with prices since that date; and what would be the equivalent percentage if the £500 deposit had been increased in line with prices since it was introduced. [2463]

Mr. Howarth

We estimate that the £150 deposit introduced in 1918 would now be equivalent to £4,093, if it had been increased in line with the inflation, which represents an 818.6 per cent. increase on the present deposit. The £500 deposit introduced in 1985 would be equivalent today to £825, an increase of 165 per cent. and £4,093 would represent an increase of 496 per cent. on that revalued deposit.