Commentary on Sections New section 51A - Resolutions about reduction of financial assistance
39.New section 51A(1) provides that if the Assembly resolves that for a specified period the whole or a specified part of any financial assistance payable under the 2000 Act to a particular political party shall not be payable, because either of the conditions set out at paragraph 1919 above is met, then the allowance shall be reduced accordingly. The period specified by the Assembly may not exceed 12 months (new section 51C(1)).
40.The Assembly may resolve to extend a period of reduced financial assistance which it has imposed under section 51A(1)(new section 51A(2)) or which the Secretary of State has imposed under section 51B(2)(new section 51A(3)). The amount by which a period is extended on any occasion may not exceed 12 months (new section 51C(2)).
41.The same procedural safeguards apply as in the case of an exclusion resolution (see paragraph 1515 above) (new section 51A(5) and (8)).