§ Lord Fraser of Carmyllieasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether all-party parliamentary groups and associate parliamentary groups will come within the definition of political activity for the purposes of the Political Parties, Election and Referendums Bill. [HL2551]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office (Lord Bassam of Brighton)As the Bill stands, the requirements in Part IX and Schedule 18 (shareholder consent etc) would apply in respect of donations by companies to registered parties or to any other organisation which carries on activities of any political nature. The Government intend to bring forward amendments to clarify the scope of these requirements. Their effect on donations to all-party parliamentary groups is one of the matters under consideration.