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Written question asked by Lord Faulkner of Worcester (Labour) on Monday, 6 March 2017, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 20 March 2017. It was answered by Lord McFall of Alcluith (Non-affiliated) on Monday, 13 March 2017 on behalf of the Senior Deputy Speaker (HL).

Hereditary Peers: By-elections

Question

To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker whether he will publish the terms of the agreement with Electoral Reform Services to administer the hereditary peers’ by-elections, including the fees paid and the length of the contract.

Answer

The House has engaged Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to assist with each hereditary peers’ by-election since they were first held in 2003. When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and to provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice. This arrangement has applied each time a by-election is held. A fee is paid for ERS’ services for each by-election; there is no standing contract under which fees are paid to ERS.

The table below shows the amounts paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of hereditary peers’ by-elections in each calendar year since 2012.

Year

Amount paid to Electoral Reform Services

2012

Nil

2013

£3,550

2014

£3,245

2015

£5,700

2016

£1,200

2017 (to date)

Nil

Amounts are exclusive of VAT.

The House authorities are currently reviewing the procurement arrangements under which services for hereditary peers’ by-elections are provided.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL5820
Session
2016-17
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Contracts By-elections Fees and charges House of Lords Hereditary peers Electoral Reform Services
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk