§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Prime Minister if she will introduce legislation to provide opposition parties with funds for the payment of advisers comparable with those sums spent by the Cabinet Office on advisers who are not career civil servants.
§ The Prime MinisterNo. Opposition parties are already given financial assistance for support in respect of their parliamentary duties.
§ Mr. John EvansTo ask the Prime Minister what restrictions exist on the spending of public money on prime ministerial advisers who are not career civil servants; and if she will make a statement.
§ The Prime MinisterSuch costs, like the other costs of my office, are kept under close scrutiny and are restricted to what is necessary.