European Political Parties

HC Deb 05 June 2000 vol 351 cc44-5W

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment the Government have made of the European Parliament resolution of 13 April concerning the state funding of political parties. [124244]

Mr. Vaz

Our view on the state funding of political parties was published in July 1999 as Cm. 4413. This was in response to the Neill Committee report (Cm. 4057, October 1998) which came down against any general system of support from public funds for the general activities of political parties. We agree with this conclusion.

Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the reference to transnational European political parties in the Treaty of Amsterdam. [124245]

Mr. Vaz

We recognise the importance of political representation at European level as a contribution to democratic accountability in the EU. Currently, MEPs elected from national parties can, if they so choose, join trans-national groupings within the European Parliament. We see no reason to change this practice.