§ Mr. LidingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the exemption of political parties in Northern Ireland from(a) the requirement publicly to declare donations received from individuals, organisations and businesses and (b) statutory restrictions on accepting donations from foreign and anonymous sources. [150629]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (Disapplication of Part IV for Northern Ireland Parties, etc.) Order 2001 exempted the Northern Ireland political parties from the requirement to comply with Part IV of the Act for four years. Part IV imposes restrictions on the source of donations so as to prohibit foreign and anonymous donations to political parties.
The Order expires February 2005. However, in line with a commitment made to Parliament during the passage of the Order, it is being reviewed ahead of that. The result of this review will be announced by way of a parliamentary statement.