Hereditary Peers: By-elections
(asked on 16th November 2021) - View Source
Question
To ask the Senior Deputy Speaker what was the cost of delivering each of the seven hereditary peer by-elections this year in respect of (1) outside contractors, and (2) the time of House staff.
There have been five hereditary peer by-elections this year, with three Conservative vacancies filled by means of a single by-election. The cost in respect of outside contractors was as follows:
| Date | Civica invoice (inclusive of VAT) |
Mar, C. – Whole House | June 2021 | £1,440 |
Selborne, E., Denham, L., Selsdon, L. (combined) – Conservative | June 2021 | £600 |
Elton, L. — Whole House | July 2021 | £1,440 |
Rea, L. – Labour | July 2021 | £0 (no ballot) |
Simon, V. – Whole House | November 2021 | £1,440 |
TOTAL |
| £4,920 |
These costs were in addition to the cost of House of Lords staff time spent organising the by-elections. Such time forms part of their normal duties and therefore cannot be costed separately.