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Political Party Funding

Volume 481: debated on Tuesday 28 October 2008

21. To ask the Secretary of State for Justice if he will take steps to regulate political party funding via British subsidiaries of foreign-owned companies. (230390)

In order to donate to UK political parties, companies must be registered and carry on business in the UK. I acknowledge the concerns which have been expressed about the scope for evasion of the ban on foreign donations contained in these provisions, and I would be very happy to discuss how they might be improved to better deliver their underlying purpose. I suggest that this may be most usefully done in the context of debates on the Political Parties and Elections Bill which will be considered by Public Bill Committee in November.