I beg to move: "That a sum not exceeding twenty-one thousand pounds be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending 31st March, 1924 for expenses under the Representation of the People Act, 1918." £33,000 has been voted on account.
The register of electors is prepared by the Clerk of the Crown and Peace, with the assistance of officials of local authorities, and the cost is met normally by moneys advanced by the County Councils, and these Councils then reclaimed one-half of the expenses from the Ministry of Finance, and this Vote provided the sum necessary for this recoupment. Owing to the delay in the submission and examination of claims, a large number of claims for registers prepared last year are still outstanding, and for this the sum of £25,000 was necessary. The sum of £29,000 is required in respect of the register now being prepared on the basis of adult suffrage. In view of the extension of the electorate, this register will be more expensive than previous registers. One-half of the cost of printing the register is borne on the Stationery Office Vote.