§ 3.2 p.m.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress they have made in the consideration of the Houghton Report on Financial Aid to Political Parties.
§ The LORD PRIVY SEAL (Lord Peart)My Lords, this report remains under consideration; but the Government are not yet able to announce their conclusions.
§ Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that, in matters of forward thinking, I am usually far ahead of Her Majesty's Government? Does my noble friend realise that in the United States, Canada and every Parliamentary democracy in Europe, forms of State aid are given to political Parties? Is he aware that one of the fundamental weaknesses of this country is the division, politically and industrially, between the two vested interests of capital and labour, and that to have political Parties financed by vested interests is a bad thing for the nation?
§ Lord PEARTMy Lords, the noble Lord, who was chairman of the committee which investigated this matter and produced the report, must appreciate that there are many varied opinions regarding what is right for democracy. Many strange organisations may get certain subventions—who knows?