Political Parties and Elections Bill
10:21 am
Mr. Straw: There is already a substantial body of law in the principal Act, as well as in common law and other statutes. You will be aware that the provenance of this Bill goes back to the establishment of the Hayden Phillips inquiry at the beginning of 2006. I may be wrong about this, but I cannot recall any representations by any political party, or other outsiders, that the law in respect of fraudulent practices needs to be changed or improved. However, we are open to further representations, including from your party. I may be wrong and there have been representations, but I do not recall any suggesting that that should be the focus of the Bill, which, as I said, builds on substantial legislation that, ultimately, was passed with all-party agreement in 2000.