To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what the cost was of running the Scottish Parliamentary Elections of (a) 1999, (b) 2003 and (c) 2007. (183425)

The Scotland Office was established on 1 July 1999 and was not therefore responsible for the initial funding of the Scottish Parliament election in May 1999. Since July 1999, the Office has, however, paid £5.562 million in respect of the 1999 election. Earlier costs were incurred by the Scottish Office and figures are not available.

The Office has paid £12.071 million for the 2003 election; it is estimated that the cost of the 2007 election will be £19 million. The final cost of the 2007 election will not be known until all the accounts are submitted by returning officers; they have 12 months in which to submit accounts.

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what fees were paid to DRS Data and Research Services plc to administer the 2007 Scottish Parliamentary Election. (183426)

The Scotland Office has made no payments directly to DRS. The responsibility for making such payments lies with returning officers who have 12 months in which to submit accounts to the Secretary of State.