Written question asked by Gordon Prentice (Labour) on Wednesday, 22 October 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 28 October 2003. It was answered by Nick Raynsford (Labour) on Tuesday, 28 October 2003 on behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.

Office of the Deputy Prime Minister

Question: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister, what the expected cost (a) by region and (b) in Pendle is of the postal ballot in the referendums on regional assemblies. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Gordon Prentice: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what the expected cost (a) by region and (b) in Pendle is of the postal ballot in the referendums on regional assemblies. [134611] Mr. Raynsford: Information in the Electoral Commission's report "The shape of elections to come" suggests that the direct cost of postal referendums on elected assemblies would be around £1.10 per elector. On this basis the cost by region of the elected assembly referendum would be £5.7 million in the north west, £4.1 million in Yorkshire and Humberside and £2.1 million in the north east. These figures assume that everyone eligible to vote returns a ballot paper. In practice costs will depend upon turnout, as this will affect postal and processing costs. There will be some additional costs in those parts of the region which also have a local referendum. It is too soon to estimate the costs in Pendle.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 134611; 412 c202W;412 c210W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Absent voting Expenditure Referendums Voting methods Regional government Pendle
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk