§ Lord Diamondasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much the Exchequer contributes at present towards financing each Opposition party in each House of Parliament.
1139WA
§ The Lord President of the Council (Viscount Whitelaw)The present maximum annual amounts payable to assist Opposition parties in carrying out their parliamentary business were given in my Answer to the noble Lord's Starred Question on 26th February 1985 (Official Report, Vol 460, col. 837).
In addition, the Opposition Leader, Chief Whip and two Assistant Whips in the House of Commons receive salaries currently totalling £77,684 annually, and the Opposition Leader and Chief Whip in the House of Lords receive salaries currently totalling £42,230 annually. A London supplement of £908 is also paid to each of the Opposition office-holders.
The cost of other forms of assistance to Opposition parties, such as the provision of certain office staff and accommodation, and in sending out party whip notices, is not readily quantifiable.