asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department when the figure of £150 for a candidate's deposit at parliamentary elections was first fixed; and what would be the comparable figure in 1975 allowing for the fall in the value of money in the intervening period.

In 1918; just under £900.

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will propose increasing the sum required as a candidate's deposit at parliamentary elections.

This would seem a suitable matter for consideration by a reconvened Speaker's Conference.