I and my noble friend Lord Rennard have added our names to Amendments 82 and 84 for a number of reasons. I shall, as briefly as possible, add to what the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, has already said and try to emphasise one or two additional points. First, I entirely...

I and my noble friend Lord Rennard have added our names to Amendments 82 and 84 for a number of reasons. I shall, as briefly as possible, add to what the noble Lord, Lord Campbell-Savours, has already said and try to emphasise one or two additional points. First, I entirely...

We do not need to spend a great deal of time on this matter because to some extent we have covered it in a previous debate. In moving Amendment 89, I shall refer briefly to Amendment 90, which also follows Clause 8, and Amendment 142, which is a consequential amendment...

We do not need to spend a great deal of time on this matter because to some extent we have covered it in a previous debate. In moving Amendment 89, I shall refer briefly to Amendment 90, which also follows Clause 8, and Amendment 142, which is a consequential amendment...

This has been a very useful debate and, at the very least, it will help to inform all those who may take decisions about the new category of commissioners. I should like briefly to respond to some of the points that have been made. First and foremost, like the noble...

This has been a very useful debate and, at the very least, it will help to inform all those who may take decisions about the new category of commissioners. I should like briefly to respond to some of the points that have been made. First and foremost, like the noble...

I am grateful to the noble Lord. We do not have that guidance from the Minister. He may feel that it is necessary to give it guidance between now and Report on whether the model is that all four have to withdraw in such circumstances, or the circumstances in which...

I am grateful to the noble Lord. We do not have that guidance from the Minister. He may feel that it is necessary to give it guidance between now and Report on whether the model is that all four have to withdraw in such circumstances, or the circumstances in which...

Clause 5: Four Electoral Commissioners to be persons put forward by parties Amendment 74 74: Clause 5, page 4, line 12, at end insert— "( ) In making a nomination under subsection (3), registered party leaders must— (a) ensure that the nominated person has relevant experience in the conduct of...

Clause 5: Four Electoral Commissioners to be persons put forward by parties Amendment 74 74: Clause 5, page 4, line 12, at end insert— "( ) In making a nomination under subsection (3), registered party leaders must— (a) ensure that the nominated person has relevant experience in the conduct of...

Again, I understand the noble Lord’s point, but whether that individual had been immune from direct party-political influence and activity for one year, three years or 10 years is immaterial. I shall try not to make any generalised comments but it would seem that anyone who takes on a responsible...

Again, I understand the noble Lord’s point, but whether that individual had been immune from direct party-political influence and activity for one year, three years or 10 years is immaterial. I shall try not to make any generalised comments but it would seem that anyone who takes on a responsible...

I wish to make a brief contribution. We, too, see the logic of clarifying these issues and we very much endorse what the noble Baroness, Lady Gould, said about the role of the chief executive. It is now easier to follow and clear. It is also important that the chief...

I wish to make a brief contribution. We, too, see the logic of clarifying these issues and we very much endorse what the noble Baroness, Lady Gould, said about the role of the chief executive. It is now easier to follow and clear. It is also important that the chief...

I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Marland, in particular, because I know that we share a great deal of concern about the reputation of our political system and we are seeking practical ways in which to go forward. At this stage, I can say only that we...

I am very grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Marland, in particular, because I know that we share a great deal of concern about the reputation of our political system and we are seeking practical ways in which to go forward. At this stage, I can say only that we...

Amendment 89 89: After Clause 8, insert the following new Clause— "Donations by companies controlled by impermissible donors (1) A donation from a company controlled by an impermissible donor shall itself count as not permissible for the purposes of the 2000 Act. (2) A company shall count as controlled by...

Amendment 89 89: After Clause 8, insert the following new Clause— "Donations by companies controlled by impermissible donors (1) A donation from a company controlled by an impermissible donor shall itself count as not permissible for the purposes of the 2000 Act. (2) A company shall count as controlled by...

I should remind the Grand Committee, as I mentioned at Second Reading, that although I do not have any pecuniary interest, I was a member of the informal advisory group of parliamentarians convened by the previous chair of the Electoral Commission. I am not quite clear as to whether I...

I should remind the Grand Committee, as I mentioned at Second Reading, that although I do not have any pecuniary interest, I was a member of the informal advisory group of parliamentarians convened by the previous chair of the Electoral Commission. I am not quite clear as to whether I...

Perhaps I may briefly respond. The noble Lord, Lord Brooke, has a great deal more experience than I have, but we were advised that this is the normal way to identify these options. I may be wrong; if so, we can correct this between now and Report.

Perhaps I may briefly respond. The noble Lord, Lord Brooke, has a great deal more experience than I have, but we were advised that this is the normal way to identify these options. I may be wrong; if so, we can correct this between now and Report.

I am not sure whether the Minister intended to complete his remarks, but could he address the important point raised with me by the Electoral Commission—twice now—that, just short of the threshold for both verifying and reporting, it is possible to make a number of regular donations which would not...

I am not sure whether the Minister intended to complete his remarks, but could he address the important point raised with me by the Electoral Commission—twice now—that, just short of the threshold for both verifying and reporting, it is possible to make a number of regular donations which would not...

But surely in such circumstances all the Secretary of State has to do is to say, "This report does not relate to the responsibilities of Government; it relates to the responsibilities of the electoral registration officers"—or whatever. "No comment". That is a response which would fall neatly within the terms...

But surely in such circumstances all the Secretary of State has to do is to say, "This report does not relate to the responsibilities of Government; it relates to the responsibilities of the electoral registration officers"—or whatever. "No comment". That is a response which would fall neatly within the terms...

That is a formidable point and it reflects the one that I made about enforcement. The commission has many other responsibilities but, when it comes to the specific task of enforcement, I think that the chief executive will be well advised to think very carefully about the so-called period of...

That is a formidable point and it reflects the one that I made about enforcement. The commission has many other responsibilities but, when it comes to the specific task of enforcement, I think that the chief executive will be well advised to think very carefully about the so-called period of...

There was a moment of considerable concern in my mind because I was anxious that we should not proceed to look at Amendment 86, which would be a retrograde step. However, I am quite happy with Amendment 85. The government amendments are helpful and will result in a relaxation of...

There was a moment of considerable concern in my mind because I was anxious that we should not proceed to look at Amendment 86, which would be a retrograde step. However, I am quite happy with Amendment 85. The government amendments are helpful and will result in a relaxation of...

I am listening with great interest to the noble Lord, but does he accept that that principle has been blown to smithereens by the Appointments Commission for this House, which is presumably given access to that precise information?

I am listening with great interest to the noble Lord, but does he accept that that principle has been blown to smithereens by the Appointments Commission for this House, which is presumably given access to that precise information?

We, too, very much support this amendment, along similar lines to the noble Baroness. I am not sure whether it is not that the present reporting regime has been inadequate as regards what the commission has or has not been doing, or whether it is the response that the Secretary...

We, too, very much support this amendment, along similar lines to the noble Baroness. I am not sure whether it is not that the present reporting regime has been inadequate as regards what the commission has or has not been doing, or whether it is the response that the Secretary...

Supplementary business question on Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee's report on Select Committee, the Public Administration Committee's report on House of Lords reform and introducing public funding of political parties.

Supplementary business question on Modernisation of the House of Commons Committee's report on Select Committee, the Public Administration Committee's report on House of Lords reform and introducing public funding of political parties.