The costs differ as, exceptionally, Electoral Reform Services were not involved in the print and distribution of the voting packs for the Liberal Democrat by-election in 2016. On that occasion, these tasks were handled by a member of House staff. The £570 figure quoted is from the successful tender submitted by Electoral Reform Services whom we expect to carry out all functions in future by-elections.

Electoral Reform Services have provided services in relation to elections and by-elections for hereditary peers since they were instituted in 1999 on an ad hoc basis rather than under a contract of service. It is intended that a tender exercise will be undertaken shortly to put in place a contract to provide these services. Any contract signed as a result of that tender exercise is expected to be governed by the standard terms and conditions of the House of Lords, available on the Parliament website: https://www.parliament.uk/documents/CSD-Commercial-Services-Directorate/General%20Terms%20and%20Conditions%20of%20Contract%20-%2015%20May%202018%20-%20HoL.pdf.

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.

Amounts are exclusive of VAT.

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

The total cost to the House of Lords for the services provided by Electoral Reform Services (ERS) in respect of the recent Liberal Democrat hereditary peers’ by-election was £300. This includes VAT at 20%.

As with other by-elections, there was one fee for all services provided. There was no separate fee for the cost of ERS supervising and conducting the count.

When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice.

The House has engaged Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to assist with each hereditary peers’ by-election. When the need for a by-election arises ERS are engaged under a standing agreement to administer and supervise the by-election and provide assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice.

The table below shows the date of the count of the last four Hereditary Peers By-elections for which invoices have been received and the amount paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of each.

Amounts are exclusive of VAT. The table does not include a recent by-election in respect of which Electoral Reform Services has provided services but not yet sent an invoice.

In addition to the services they provide in administering and supervising by-elections, engaging Electoral Reform Services provides assurance that by-elections conform to good electoral practice.

The table below shows the date of the count of, those eligible to vote in the by-election and the amount paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of each by-election since the start of the 2014–15 session.

The by-election in October 2014 involved the manning of a polling station for a day.

Amounts are exclusive of VAT. The table does not include two recent by-elections in respect of which Electoral Reform Services has provided services but not yet been paid.