To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how much was paid to electoral returning officers across the UK in respect of the elections held in May 2008; whether these payments were mandatory; and if she will make a statement. (266152)

Payments to electoral returning officers for local government elections are a matter for local authorities. Under section 36(4) of the Representation of the People Act 1983, all expenditure properly incurred by a returning officer in relation to the holding of a local council election must be paid by that council. The information requested is therefore not held centrally.