Scottish Affairs CommitteeLetter from the Rt Hon Michael Moore, Secretary of State for Scotland to Ian Davidson MP, Chair

I would like to thank the Committee for inviting the Rt Hon David Mundell and me to give evidence on 17 September. Whilst giving evidence, I promised to write to the Committee to provide further information on foreign donations in relation to the 2011 referendum on the law making powers of the National Assembly for Wales.

The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (“PPERA”) sets out rules for general and certain local elections and certain referendums held in the UK or a particular part of the UK. PPERA sets out rules on donations for elections and referendums regulated under PPERA. These rules apply to Scottish Parliament elections by virtue of PPERA and the Scottish Parliament (Elections etc) Order 2010.

The Order for the 2011 Wales referendum did not modify PPERA in relation to foreign donations, and the usual rules on permitted donors therefore applied. Section 54(2) of PPERA sets out a list of permissible donors, which applies to elections or referendums regulated under the Act. Permissible donors include an individual registered on a UK electoral register (including overseas electors), and most UK-registered companies. In the 2011 Wales referendum, donations from within the UK but outside Wales were permitted.

September 2012