PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
ELECTION EXPENDITURE IN TORBAY (16 March 1994)

That this House notes that the Devon and Cornwall Police are currently investigating apparent discrepancies in Liberal Democrat election expenditure returns for all 11 of Torbay's Devon County Council seats; further notes that the allegations could lead to criminal charges and disqualifications, severely damaging the Liberal Democrat minority administration on Devon County Council; observes that one of the allegations concerns a newspaper which, though clearly promoting Liberal Democrat candidates, had apparently not been declared as an election expenditure; is reminded that the bogus local newspaper, deliberately designed to mislead the electorate, is one of the Liberal Democrat's favourite campaigning tricks, and is actively encouraged in the Association of Liberal Democrat Councillors' Campaign Guide, No. 1; and calls upon all those under investigation to co-operate fully with the police in their enquiries.

Sponsored by:
Mr Patrick Nicholls (Conservative)