Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 24 April 2019 to Question 246989 on European Parliament: Elections and the Answer of 18 May 2018 to Question 143730 on European Parliament: Elections, for what reason his Department was able to publish an estimate of the savings accrued to the public purse of not holding the election, but not able to publish an estimate of holding the elections.

The estimated savings were based on the established cost of delivering the previous European Parliamentary elections in 2014, which cost the public purse £108.7 million.

The potential cost of a 2019 European Parliamentary election, should it take place, would not be known until after the poll, once all expenses claims have been received and settled and invoices paid.

For example, the postage costs of the freepost mailing will depend on the number of nominated parties/candidates, who in turn then choose to take up the offer of the mailing.

The Cabinet Office has now published the relevant Charges Order which provides the basis for reimbursing Returning Officers for their services and any expenses necessarily incurred in relation to the European Parliamentary elections.