---

Political Parties and Elections Bill

This measure is fairly straightforward; we recognise that it is a necessary tightening of the PPERA and therefore welcome it. I take this opportunity to seek further clarification. There may be circumstances in which some people may be categorised as members associations under the terms of this Bill but may not be aware that they are categorised as such. How will they be contacted and told that they come within the remit? Whose responsibility is that? Is it that of the party to which they are affiliated or linked in some way, whose members make up the bulk of their membership? If so, that is an added requirement on party organisations and it would be helpful to know that. Furthermore, how will it be enforced? Have the commission or Ministry of Justice made any estimates as to how many of these associations are out there and who they are—and, therefore, how this additional element will be supervised and policed? Those are the only two points that we wish to raise at this stage.