HL Deb 24 October 2002 vol 639 cc107-8WA
Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What plans there are to review the working of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000. [HL5910]

The Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)

As part of its statutory functions, the Electoral Commission is required to keep under review, and report to the Government on, certain matters, including the provisions of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (PPERA). The commission began a review in August 2002 of the following parts of the PPERA:

  • Part II—Registration of political parties
  • Part III—Accounting requirements for registered parties
  • Part IV—Control of donations to registered parties and their members
  • Part V—Control of campaign expenditure
  • Part VI—Controls relating to third party national election campaigns
  • Part VIII—Election campaigns and proceedings.

The commission also plans to conduct a review of the eligibility criteria and distribution formula of the policy development grant (Part I of the PPERA). The commission will report to the Lord Chancellor on both reviews in spring 2003.