Clause 23 - Funding for regional chambers
Regional Assemblies (Preparations) Bill
6:30 pm
Mr Philip Hammond (Runnymede and Weybridge, Conservative)
In answering the question from the hon. Member for South Dorset (Jim Knight), the Minister suggested that campaigning for a referendum would be an acceptable use of public funds, but campaigning for a particular outcome once a referendum campaign was under way would not. I draw the Minister's attention to amendment No. 86, which is deliberately phrased to prevent both.
In seeking to suggest that amendment No. 86 is redundant, the Minister has demonstrated only half that. He has satisfied me that it is the Government's intention, at least, that the use of such funds should not be allowed during a referendum campaign. However, he appears to be telling the hon. Member for South Dorset that it is acceptable to use them for campaigning for a referendum.