Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

14 (1) The expenditure of the Commission, so far as it cannot be met out of income received by the Commission, shall be met, in accordance with this paragraph, out of money provided by Parliament (except so far as it is—

(a) reimbursed by the Secretary of State under section 18(9) or the Scottish Ministers in pursuance of section 13(9), 19(11) or 145(6); or

(b) met by the National Assembly for Wales in pursuance of section 5(3) or 20(12)).

(2) For each financial year (other than the Commission’s first financial year) the Commission shall prepare, and submit to the Speaker’s Committee, an estimate of the Commission’s income and expenditure.

(3) The Speaker’s Committee shall—

(a) examine each such estimate submitted to them; and

(b) decide whether they are satisfied that the estimated level of income and expenditure is consistent with the economical, efficient and effective discharge by the Commission of their functions; and

(c) if they are not so satisfied, shall make such modifications to the estimate as they consider appropriate for the purpose of achieving such consistency.

(4) Before deciding whether they are so satisfied or making any such modifications, the Speaker’s Committee shall—

(a) have regard to the most recent report made to them by the Comptroller and Auditor General under paragraph 16 and to any recommendations contained in that report; and

(b) consult the Treasury and have regard to any advice which the Treasury may give.

(5) The Speaker’s Committee shall, after concluding their examination and making their modifications (if any) to the estimate, lay the estimate before the House of Commons.

(6) If the Speaker’s Committee, in the discharge of their functions under this paragraph—

(a) do not follow any recommendation contained in the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General,

(b) do not follow any advice given to them by the Treasury, or

(c) make any modification to the estimate,

they shall include in the next report which they make to the House of Commons under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 a statement of their reasons for so doing.

(7) The Secretary of State may by order provide for the transfer to the Commission of such property, rights and liabilities—

(a) to which he is entitled or subject, and

(b) which are specified in the order,

as he considers appropriate in connection with the establishment of the Commission.

(8) Such an order may in particular provide for the order to have effect despite any provision (of whatever nature) which would prevent or restrict the transfer of any such property, rights or liabilities otherwise than by the order.