§ Mr. KempTo ask the President of the Council what steps she takes to ensure that Short money allocated to Her Majesty's Opposition is used exclusively for parliamentary purposes. [118873]
§ Mrs. BeckettRecipients of Short money have to furnish the Accounting Officer of the House with the certificate of an independent professional auditor, in a form determined by the Accounting Officer, to the effect that all expenses in respect of which the party received financial assistance during the period ending with that day were incurred exclusively in relation to the party's parliamentary business under the House's resolution.
§ Mr. KempTo ask the President of the Council how much Short money has been allocated to Her Majesty's Official Opposition for each of the last six years. [118874]
§ Mrs. BeckettThe figures are as follows:
£ 1994 1,439,802.97 1995 1,489,749.12 1996 1,530,190.51 1997 986,762.82 1998 1,112,885.74 1999 3,377,670.28