Electoral Administration Bill

We have had a short debate on this subject. So far it has lasted a little less than half an hour, which is perhaps rather short for a debate of this importance. Nevertheless, that is understandable, given that this is in Grand Committee. We will certainly have a much fuller debate when we come back on Report with the government amendments. I would only make one small point on the debate so far: I cannot go quite so far as the noble Baroness, Lady Hanham, in saying that loans ought not only to be treated as donations, but forbidden altogether. There are circumstances—this is particularly an issue in local government elections and in constituencies—where what undoubtedly happens is that, in the run-up to an election, local members who cannot afford to make donations will lend money to the constituency party in order to fund the campaign, in the expectation of getting it repaid to them by the constituency party over the next couple of years. That seems to me to be a perfectly legitimate practice and it is not one that we would seek to block. But obviously we would consider it desirable to treat such loans as donations with the consequence that, if the amount involved was more than £1,000, it would have to be disclosed. Having said that, I shall not go back over the arguments again. I very much welcomed the speech of my noble friend Lord Tyler, with which I entirely agree. Being at an early stage of this debate and being in Grand Committee, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Clauses 56 to 65 agreed to. Clause 66 [Encouraging electoral participation]: