HL Deb 12 February 1998 vol 585 cc1258-9

3.11 p.m.

Lord Harris of Greenwich asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will ensure that, in any future legislation relating to party political fund-raising, there will be a requirement that any allegation that money donated to a political party has been stolen or derived from improper sources will be referred to an arbitrator or commissioner who will have the power to order the money to be repaid either to the donor or to a charitable organisation.

Lord Williams of Mostyn

My Lords, the Government are committed to banning the foreign funding of political parties and to requiring disclosure of donations above £5,000. We are awaiting the report of the Committee on Standards in Public Life, chaired by the noble and learned Lord, Lord Neill of Bladen, on the review it is undertaking of the funding of political parties.

Lord Harris of Greenwich

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. Does he recall that in the case of Mr. Asil Nadir, the £365,000 which he stole from Polly Peck and paid into the coffers of the Conservative Party has still not been repaid? There was also the strange episode of the £1 million paid to that party by a family in Hong Kong with a strong relationship with the drugs trade. In future, should not such episodes be rigorously investigated by some form of independent commissioner?

Lord Williams of Mostyn

My Lords, to the best of my knowledge, the money which was donated by Mr. Asil Nadir, presently a fugitive from justice, has never been repaid. If I am wrong, I dare say that I shall be corrected.

In respect of the £1 million from the Ma family, my right honourable friend Mr. Straw thought that that was a matter of such public importance that he wrote to the present leader of the Opposition on 21st January asking why Mr. Ma gave the money to the Conservative Party and who negotiated it and also a number of other questions. He ended by saying: In the light of this information do you think it appropriate for the Tory Party to keep this money'?…Would not the best outcome be for the Tory Party to donate the £1 million to anti-drug charities?…I look forward to your speedy reply". That was on 21st January. I believe today to be 12th February. He is still waiting for the speedy reply.