HC Deb 08 March 1983 vol 38 c387W
Mr. Viggers

asked the Lord President of the Council if he will consider and report upon the possibility of arranging for paging devices to be made available to hon. Members on a commercial basis in lieu of, or in addition to, the current Division bells available through British Telecom.

Mr. Biffen

The Services committee decided in July of last year not to pursue the proposal that a radio-paging system linked to the Division bells should be made available to Members. In view of this recent decision, I should be reluctant to reopen the matter.

Maximum sums payable Sums paid
1980 1981 1982 Current proposals 1980 1981 1982
£ £ £ £ £ £ £
Labour Party 227,500.00 290,000.00 290,000.00 325,000.00 227,500.00 290,000.00 290,000.00
Liberal Party 40,941.87 52,107.83 52,107.83 58,469.04 40,941.84 52,107.80 52,107.80
Scottish Nationalist Party 5,325.51 6,777.93 6,777.93 7,605.36 5,325.50 6,777.92 6,777.92
Plaid Cymru 2,513.77 3,199.35 3,199.35 3,589.92 2,513.75 3,199.35 3,199.35
Ulster Unionist Party 5,705.15 7,261.10 7,261.10 8,147.52 5,704.00 7,260.00 7,260.00
Ulster Democrat Unionist Party 2,804.18 3,568.95 3,568.95 4,004.64 2,804.18 3,568.92 3,568.92
284,790.48 362,915.16 362,915.16 406,816.48 284,789.27 362,913.99 362,913.99

Mr. Proctor

asked the Lord President of the Council what is the percentage increase in financial aid to opposition parties contained in the recent proposals; and what was the percentage increase made in February 1979 and November 1980, respectively.