§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria his Department applies in awarding grants to all-party Parliamentary groups. [8798]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 16 July 1997]: The level of grants to Parliamentary bodies is assessed annually in accordance with their Financial Memoranda, in the light of submissions from them as to the level of funding which 380W they require. Their expenditure in previous years and the level of any reserves available to them are also taken into account.
The current level of grants is as follows:
Grant in aid 1997–98 £ Inter Parliamentary Union 834,899 British Irish Inter Parliamentary Union 149,601 Commonwealth Parliamentary Association 88,750 British American Parliamentary Association 70,170 The level of future grants will be set in the light of the Comprehensive Spending Review.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer for what reason his Department makes an annual grant to the British-American Parliamentary group. [8797]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 16 July 1997]: Grant in aid is issued to the British-American Parliamentary group so that it can foster better relations between Members of Parliament and parliamentarians in the United States. As with all Government spending, this grant will be examined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review which I announced to the House on 11 June.
§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what arrangements his Department has for monitoring the use of the annual grant it makes to the British-American Parliamentary group; and if he will make a statement. [8796]
§ Mr. Darling[holding answer 16 July 1997]: Expenditure by the British American Parliamentary group is governed by its financial memorandum. Its level of grant is monitored in accordance with the Treasury's usual arrangements for the in year control of expenditure. As with all Government spending, the grant will be examined as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review which I announced to the House on 11 June.