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<p>The House has engaged Electoral Reform Services (ERS) to assist with each hereditary
peers’ by-election since they were first held in 2003. When the need for a by-election
arises ERS are engaged to administer and supervise the by-election and to provide
assurance that it conforms to good electoral practice. This arrangement has applied
each time a by-election is held. A fee is paid for ERS’ services for each by-election;
there is no standing contract under which fees are paid to ERS.</p><p> </p><p>The
table below shows the amounts paid to Electoral Reform Services in respect of hereditary
peers’ by-elections in each calendar year since 2012.</p><p> </p><table><tbody><tr><td><p><strong>Year</strong></p></td><td><p><strong>Amount
paid to Electoral Reform Services</strong></p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2012</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2013</p></td><td><p>£3,550</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2014</p></td><td><p>£3,245</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2015</p></td><td><p>£5,700</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2016</p></td><td><p>£1,200</p></td></tr><tr><td><p>2017
(to date)</p></td><td><p>Nil</p></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>Amounts are exclusive
of VAT.</p><p> </p><p>The House authorities are currently reviewing the procurement
arrangements under which services for hereditary peers’ by-elections are provided.</p>
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