Short Money Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Short Money

Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Excerpts
Tuesday 23rd February 2016

(8 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Ritchie of Downpatrick Portrait Ms Margaret Ritchie (South Down) (SDLP)
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Again, I ask this question: with the cost of Government Spads rising, will the Minister concede that a disgraceful 24% cut to the Opposition parties’ funds is a case of double standards and an impediment to the Opposition parties’ scrutiny of the Executive?

John Penrose Portrait John Penrose
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I am afraid that I respectfully disagree with the hon. Lady, if only because, as I said, the cost of Spads has fallen since the general election and will still remain lower than the total funding for Opposition parties.