§ Lord Fraser of Carmyllieasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their intention to amend Part XI and Schedule 18 of the Political Parties and Referendums Bill to ensure that the activities of all-party parliamentary groups and associate parliamentary groups are excluded from the definition of political activities. [HL2993]
§ The Minister for Science, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Bill will, in line with the Neill Committee's recommendation, require companies to seek prior shareholder authorisation for donations to a political party or organisation. The Bill currently defines a "political organisation" as a registered party or any other organisation which carries on, or proposes to carry on, activities of any political nature in the United Kingdom or any other EU member state. The Government accept that this is a very broad definition, and have undertaken to consider it further. Ministers fully recognise the contribution which parliamentary all-party groups make to political life in this country.