Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of prohibiting the bestowing of honours on individuals who have donated over one million pounds to the political party in Government.

All honours are awarded on the basis of merit. Donations to any political party should not be regarded as a reason for disqualification from receiving an honour.

There are clear procedures in place to protect the honours system and to ensure the integrity of the selection process. There are specialist honours committees which provide recommendations to the Prime Minister. Each committee is chaired by an independent chair and comprising a majority of independent members.

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.