§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Prime Minister what official appointments have been given to the trustees of the blind trust set up to finance his office when Leader of the Opposition. [31091]
§ The Prime MinisterTwo of the three former Trustees of the Labour Leader's Office Fund hold official appointments, one as a Minister of State and another as part-time Chairman of the Housing Corporation. The third was a Secretary of State for Northern Ireland and Home Secretary in a former Government.
§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list the names of people who have been given official appointments and also donated towards the blind trust set up to finance his office when Leader of the Opposition; and if he will make a statement on the mechanism whereby he is notified of such matters. [31093]
§ The Prime MinisterI was not notified of the names of donors to the Labour Leader's Office Fund. The rules drawn up on legal advice deliberately required the three members of the Board not to reveal the names so there could be no suggestion that the making of donations might influence or secure favour.