HC Deb 14 May 1993 vol 224 cc625-6W
Mr. Allen

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes have taken place since his answer of 17 July 1990,Official Report, column 496, in arrangements for state funding for politcal parties in each of the Group of Seven nations.

Mr. Garel-Jones

The information available to us is as follows:

  1. (a) Canada
    • No change from the answer of 17 July 1990, Official Report, column 496;
  2. (b) France
    • A Bill passed in autumn 1992 provided for:
      1. (i) public funding of political parties which put up at least 50 candidates, in proportion to their share of the vote in the legislative elections and where applicable, to the number of their senators and deputies; and
      2. (ii) reimbursement of campaign expenses up to a maximum of FF50,000, provided that the 626 candidate obtains at least 5 per cent. of the vote in the first round.
      3. These arrangements will not come into effect until after 1994.
  3. (c)Germany
    • The existing legislation—1990 answer—is under review.
  4. (d) Italy
    • Italians voted in the referendums on 18 and 19 April to abolish state funding of political parties.
  5. (e) Japan
    • No change in formal state funding.
  6. (f) United States
    • President Clinton introduced on 7 May a proposal for campaign finance reform. Under it, candidates accepting voluntary limits on spending would receive vouchers for broadcast air time, postage and printing from federal funds. These would be financed by closing a loophole allowing tax deductions for lobbying expenses and increasing the voluntary check-off on tax returns to $5. The proposal is controversial.