Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to the revenue test being introduced for political donations from companies, what assessment has been made of the effect on the ability of political parties with holding companies with low or no trading income, to bequest property or investment assets to other party accounting units or to the central party.

The revenue test will form part of the donor permissibility requirements for companies and limited liability partnerships under provisions included in the Representation of the People Bill. It will apply to the donating entity for the purposes of determining whether a donation is permissible. Companies that do not make sufficient revenue to fund their donation will not be eligible.