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Proceeding contribution from Tom Tugendhat (Conservative) in the House of Commons on Monday, 26 June 2023. It occurred during Debate on bill on National Security Bill.


National Security Bill

I assure the right hon. Gentleman that I have heard him. I hope that the amendment will now satisfy the ISC with respect to its concerns. I am sure that hon. Members across the House will support Government amendment (a) in lieu.

I turn to Lords amendment 22B, which would require political parties to make an annual return to the Electoral Commission, setting out the details of donations from foreign powers. It would also create a duty on political parties to write an annual policy statement to ensure the identification of donations from foreign powers. I understand the intention behind the amendment, and I share the strength of feeling behind it.

The Government are very much alive to the risk that foreign interference presents. I am pleased that we have already taken action to address it, and I am pleased with the support that we have received on both sides of the House for our reforms to Companies House, which will deliver more reliably accurate information on the companies register, providing greater powers for Companies House to query and challenge the information it receives. The Government are also legislating, via the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Bill, to enhance data sharing between Companies House and public authorities, including the Electoral Commission. This will help the enforcement of the rules on donations by providing greater confidence in the accuracy of the data held at Companies House.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
735 cc97-8 
Session
2022-23
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
Subjects
Finance Elections Electoral Commission National security Political parties Parliamentary scrutiny Politics and government
Legislation
National Security Bill 2022-23
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on hansard.parliament.uk