Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

12 (1) The Government of Wales Act 1998 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 4(8) (National Assembly for Wales: voting at ordinary elections) for “a party registered under the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998” substitute “a party registered under Part II of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000”.

(3) In section 11(2)(c) (power to make provision about elections) omit “and registered political parties”.

(4) After section 34 insert—

“34A Assistance to groups of Assembly members

(1) The Assembly may make to (or in respect of) groups of Assembly members such payments as the Assembly from time to time determines for the purpose of assisting Assembly members in the groups to perform their functions as Assembly members.

(2) A determination under this section may make provision—

(a) for ascertaining the groups to which (or in respect of which) payments are to be made,

(b) for calculating the amount of any payment to a group,

(c) for the conditions subject to which payments are to be made, and

(d) for the presiding officer to decide questions arising under the determination about which groups Assembly members belong to.

(3) A determination under this section may make different provision for different groups.

(4) The Assembly may not delegate the function of making a determination under this section.

(5) A determination under this section shall not be made unless a motion to approve it is passed by the Assembly on a vote in which at least two-thirds of the Assembly members voting support the motion.

(6) The standing orders of the Assembly must include provision for the publication of every determination under this section.”