Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will have discussions with the Metropolitan Police on the steps being taken to help ensure political parties do not exchange financial contributions for honours.
Answered by Chris Philp - Minister of State (Home Office)
It is against the law to 'sell' honours or peerages - offering cash for awards - under the Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925.
Honours are earned, not bought, and there are clear procedures in place to protect the honours system and to ensure the integrity of the selection process.
Donations to any political party should not be regarded as a reason for disqualification from receiving an honour.
More broadly, fundraising by political parties is a legitimate part of the democratic process. The alternative is taxpayer-funding of political campaigning, which would mean less money for frontline services like schools, police and hospitals.
Asked by: Angus Brendan MacNeil (Independent - Na h-Eileanan an Iar)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office, which team in his Department is responsible for arrangements for Scottish people to demonstrate their (a) consent and (b) opposition to the Union; and what the work priorities of that team are for 2021.
Answered by Julia Lopez - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The Cabinet Office is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the Union. The UK Government’s full focus is on ensuring the whole of the United Kingdom overcomes the challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic has created, including helping our NHS, our schools and our economic recovery. These are challenges that all parts of the UK face and our collective priority must be to tackle them together.