This Order, which applies in Great Britain, revokes and replaces the Returning Officers' Charges Order 1992 (“the 1992 Order”). The title of this Order reflects the fact that it applies only at parliamentary elections.

Under section 29(3) of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (as substituted by the Representation of the People Act 1991), the entitlement of a returning officer at a parliamentary election to recover his charges in respect of his services or expenses for or in connection with such an election depends upon—

Part A of the Schedule to this Order specifies the kinds of services rendered by a returning officer for or in connection with a parliamentary election in respect of which he is entitled to recover his charges, together with maximum recoverable amounts in respect of those services. Parts B and C of the Schedule specify the kinds of expenses incurred by a returning officer for or in connection with a parliamentary election in respect of which he is entitled to recover his charges, together (in the case of Part B) with the maximum recoverable amounts in respect of those charges. Parts A and B of the Schedule to this Order increase the maximum recoverable amounts from those that were specified in the equivalent provisions in the 1992 Order. In addition, the expenses of security measures have been added to the list in Part C of the Schedule.