§ Mr. GallieTo ask the Lord President of the Council what public funds the Leader of the Opposition receives to run Opposition political affairs.
§ Mr. NewtonUnder paragraph 1 of the resolution of the House of 4 November 1993, financial assistance, known as "Short Money", is available to assist Opposition parties in carrying out their parliamentary business. The maximum amount which is available to the official Opposition for the year beginning 1 April 1995 is £1,408,448.12.
Under paragraph 2 of the resolution, financial assistance is also available towards travelling and associated expenses necessarily incurred by an Opposition party's spokesmen in relation to the party's parliamentary business. The maximum amount which is available to the official Opposition for the year beginning 1 April 1995 is £18,301.