Clause 14
Northern Ireland (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill
11:30 am
Lady Hermon (North Down, UUP)
I should make a declaration at the beginning of my comments on anything to do with donations for political purposes or to political parties in that I am a member of the Speaker’s Committee on the Electoral Commission. In that capacity, I take, for obvious reasons, a particular interest in any changes to legislation that apply to political donations, loans and anything akin to them. My views are my own entirely—the issue before us has not been discussed at any length in the Speaker’s Committee.
With that preface to my remarks, I shall speak to amendments Nos. 24 and 25. They relate specifically to clause 14 of this miscellaneous—extremely miscellaneous—provisions Bill and the final disapplication period, which is defined as
“(a) starting with the day on which this section comes into force, and
(b) ending with 31st October 2007.”
The amendments would remove subsections (4) and (5) from the clause. I have difficulty with what is meant by those subsections, although I am sure that the Minister will clarify their meaning when he responds to my proposals.
As drafted, clause 14(4) means that section 54(2)(c) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 will be effective
“in relation to any donation received during the final disapplication period by—
(a) a Great Britain party, or
(b) a regulated donee who is resident or carries on activities in Great Britain,
as if it referred to a Great Britain party only.”
Speaking personally, that is gobbledegook to the hon. Member for North Down. I would be thrilled and delighted to be able to understand the legislation. Lovely, the Minister is indicating that he wants to intervene. Excellent!