Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41)

SCHEDULES

Section 1.

SCHEDULE 1 The Electoral Commission

Status of Commission and their property

1 (1) The Commission shall not be regarded—

(a) as the servant or agent of the Crown, or

(b) as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.

(2) The property of the Commission shall not be regarded as property of, or property held on behalf of, the Crown.

Powers

2 The Commission may do anything (except borrow money) which is calculated to facilitate, or is incidental or conducive to, the carrying out of any of their functions.

Term of office etc. of Electoral Commissioners

3 (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, an Electoral Commissioner shall hold office as such Commissioner—

(a) for the period for which he is appointed, and

(b) otherwise in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2) The period for which an Electoral Commissioner is appointed shall be the period specified in relation to him in the address pursuant to which he is appointed.

(3) An Electoral Commissioner shall cease to hold office on the occurrence of any of the following events—

(a) he consents to being nominated as a candidate at a relevant election (within the meaning of Part II) or to being included in a registered party’s list of candidates at such an election;

(b) he takes up any office or employment in or with—

(i) a registered party or any accounting unit of such a party,

(ii) a recognised third party (within the meaning of Part VI), or

(iii) a permitted participant (within the meaning of Part VII);

(c) he is named as a donor in the register of donations reported under Chapter III or V of Part IV or in any statement of donations included in a return delivered to the Commission under section 98 or 122;

(d) he becomes a member of a registered party.

(4) An Electoral Commissioner may be removed from office by Her Majesty in pursuance of an Address from the House of Commons.

(5) No motion shall be made for such an Address unless the Speaker’s Committee have presented a report to the House of Commons stating that the Committee are satisfied that one or more of the following grounds is made out in the case of the Electoral Commissioner in question—

(a) he has failed to discharge the functions of his office for a continuous period of at least 3 months;

(b) he has failed to comply with the terms of his appointment;

(c) he has been convicted of a criminal offence;

(d) he is an undischarged bankrupt or his estate has been sequestrated in Scotland and he has not been discharged;

(e) he has made an arrangement or composition contract with, or has granted a trust deed for, his creditors;

(f) he is otherwise unfit to hold his office or unable to carry out its functions.

(6) A motion for such an Address shall not be made on the ground mentioned in sub-paragraph (5)(a) if more than 3 months have elapsed since the end of the period in question.

(7) An Electoral Commissioner may be relieved of his office by Her Majesty at his own request.

(8) In this paragraph “registered party” includes, in relation to times before the appointed day for the purposes of Part II of this Act, a party registered under the [1998 c. 48.] Registration of Political Parties Act 1998.

Term of office etc. of Commission chairman

4 (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, the chairman of the Commission shall hold office as such chairman—

(a) for the period for which he is appointed, and

(b) otherwise in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2) The period for which a person is appointed as chairman of the Commission shall be the period specified in relation to him in the address pursuant to which he is appointed.

(3) The chairman of the Commission may be relieved of his office of chairman by Her Majesty at his own request.

(4) If the chairman of the Commission ceases to be an Electoral Commissioner, he also ceases to be chairman.

Electoral Commissioners: salary etc.

5 (1) There shall be paid to an Electoral Commissioner such remuneration, and any such allowances or expenses, as may be specified in a resolution of the House of Commons.

(2) If a resolution of the House of Commons so provides in the case of any person who is an Electoral Commissioner or former Electoral Commissioner—

(a) such amounts shall be paid towards the provision of superannuation benefits for or in respect of him as may be specified in the resolution;

(b) (in the case of a former Electoral Commissioner) such pension shall be paid to or in respect of him as may be so specified.

(3) A resolution for the purposes of this paragraph may—

(a) specify the amounts to be paid;

(b) provide that the amounts to be paid shall be the same as, or calculated on the same basis as, those payable to or in respect of a person employed in a specified office under, or in a specified capacity in the service of, the Crown;

(c) specify the amounts to be paid and provide for them to be increased by reference to such variables as may be specified in the resolution;

(d) have the effect of making different provision for different Electoral Commissioners or former Electoral Commissioners.

(4) A resolution for the purposes of this paragraph may take effect from the date on which it is passed or from any earlier or later date specified in the resolution.

(5) Any amount payable under this paragraph (other than by way of expenses) shall be charged on and issued out of the Consolidated Fund.

(6) Any amount payable under this paragraph by way of expenses shall be paid by the Commission.

(7) In this paragraph “pension” includes allowance and gratuity.

Deputy Electoral Commissioners: term of office etc.

6 (1) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) a Deputy Electoral Commissioner shall hold and vacate his office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(2) A Deputy Electoral Commissioner shall cease to hold office on the occurrence of such an event as is mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 3(3).

(3) A Deputy Electoral Commissioner may be removed from office by the Commission, but only if they are satisfied that one or more of the following grounds is made out in his case—

(a) he has failed to discharge the functions of his office for a continuous period of at least 3 months;

(b) he has failed to comply with the terms of his appointment;

(c) he has been convicted of a criminal offence;

(d) he is an undischarged bankrupt or his estate has been sequestrated in Scotland and he has not been discharged;

(e) he has made an arrangement or composition contract with, or has granted a trust deed for, his creditors;

(f) he is otherwise unfit to hold his office or unable to carry out its functions.

(4) The Commission shall pay to a Deputy Electoral Commissioner such remuneration, and any such allowances or expenses, as may be provided for by or under the terms of his appointment.

(5) If the terms of his appointment as Deputy Electoral Commissioner so provide, the Commission shall—

(a) pay towards the provision of superannuation benefits for or in respect of a Deputy Electoral Commissioner or former Deputy Electoral Commissioner such amounts as may be provided for by or under those terms;

(b) pay such pension to or in respect of a former Deputy Electoral Commissioner as may be so provided.

(6) In sub-paragraph (5) “pension” includes allowance and gratuity.

Assistant Electoral Commissioners

7 (1) The Commission may appoint one or more Assistant Electoral Commissioners to inquire into, and report to the Commission or a Boundary Committee on, such matters as the Commission or a Boundary Committee think fit.

(2) A person may not be appointed as an Assistant Electoral Commissioner if he is a person who (by virtue of section 3(4)) may not be appointed as an Electoral Commissioner.

(3) An Assistant Electoral Commissioner shall—

(a) be appointed either for a fixed term or for the purposes of a particular inquiry; and

(b) (subject to sub-paragraph (4)) hold and vacate office in accordance with the terms of his appointment.

(4) An Assistant Electoral Commissioner shall cease to hold office on the occurrence of such an event as is mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 3(3).

(5) The Commission shall pay an Assistant Electoral Commissioner such remuneration, and any such allowances or expenses, as may be provided for by or under the terms of his appointment.

Committees

8 (1) The Commission may establish (in addition to the Boundary Committees) any committees which the Commission consider appropriate.

(2) Any committee of the Commission established under sub-paragraph (1) may establish one or more sub-committees.

(3) A person shall not be a member of a committee or sub-committee established under this paragraph unless he is an Electoral Commissioner.

Delegation to committees

9 (1) The Commission may delegate functions of the Commission (to such extent as the Commission may determine) to any committee of the Commission established under paragraph 8(1).

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) does not apply to any function transferred to the Commission by virtue of section 16(1) or by an order under section 18(1), 19(1) or 20(1).

(3) A committee of the Commission established under paragraph 8(1) may delegate functions of the committee (to such extent as the committee may determine) to any sub-committee of the committee.

Procedure and proceedings

10 (1) The Commission shall regulate their own procedure, and the procedure of their committees and sub-committees (whether established under paragraph 8 or section 14), including the quorum for meetings.

(2) The validity of any proceedings of the Commission, or of any of their committees or sub-committees, shall not be affected by—

(a) any vacancy among the members of the Commission, or of the committee or sub-committee, or

(b) any defect in the appointments of any such member.

Staff

11 (1) The Commission—

(a) shall appoint a chief executive, and

(b) may appoint such other staff as the Commission consider necessary to assist them and their committees in the performance of their functions.

(2) A person may not be appointed—

(a) as chief executive of the Commission if he is a person who (by virtue of section 3(4)(a) to (d)) may not be appointed as an Electoral Commissioner, or

(b) as any other member of the staff of the Commission if he is a person who (by virtue of section 3(4)(b) to (d)) may not be appointed as an Electoral Commissioner.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraph (4), the staff of the Commission shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as the Commission may determine; and the Commission shall pay their staff such remuneration as may be provided for by or under their terms of appointment.

(4) The appointment of any member of the staff of the Commission shall terminate—

(a) if he is their chief executive, on the occurrence of such an event as is mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (d) of paragraph 3(3), and

(b) in any other case, on the occurrence of such an event as is mentioned in any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of paragraph 3(3).

(5) In determining the terms and conditions of staff under sub-paragraph (3) above, the Commission shall have regard to the desirability of keeping the remuneration and other terms and conditions of employment of its staff broadly in line with those applying to persons employed in the civil service of the State.

(6) Service as an officer or employee of the Commission shall be included in the kinds of employment to which a scheme under section 1 of the [1972 c. 11.] Superannuation Act 1972 can apply; and, accordingly, in Schedule 1 to that Act (which lists the kinds of employment to which a scheme can apply), the following entry shall be inserted at the end of the list of “Royal Commissions and other Commissions”—

“Electoral Commission”.

(7) The Commission shall pay to the Minister for the Civil Service, at such times as he may direct, such sums as he may determine in respect of any increase attributable to sub-paragraph (6) in the sums payable out of money provided by Parliament under the [1972 c. 11.] Superannuation Act 1972.

(8) No member of the staff of the Commission shall be regarded—

(a) as the servant or agent of the Crown, or

(b) as enjoying any status, immunity or privilege of the Crown.

(9) The Secretary of State may appoint a person to be the Commission’s chief executive until such time as the first person to be appointed by the Commission as their chief executive takes up office; and until such time as the Commission have appointed their own staff the Secretary of State may appoint persons to serve as members of the Commission’s staff.

(10) Until such time as the Commission may determine, the Commission’s chief executive appointed under sub-paragraph (9) may incur expenditure and do other things in the name and on behalf of the Commission, whether or not the membership of the Commission has yet to be constituted in accordance with section 1.

(11) The power conferred by sub-paragraph (10) shall be exercisable by that person subject to and in accordance with any directions given to him by the Secretary of State.

Delegation to staff

12 Each of the following—

(a) the Commission,

(b) any committee of the Commission (whether established under paragraph 8 or section 14),

(c) any sub-committee of such a committee, and

(d) the Commission’s chief executive,

may delegate functions of theirs or his (to such extent as they or he may determine) to the Commission’s staff (either generally or otherwise).

Delegation and contracting-out of superannuation functions

13 (1) Section 1(2) of the [1972 c. 11.] Superannuation Act 1972 (delegation of functions relating to civil service superannuation schemes by Minister for the Civil Service to another officer of the Crown etc.) shall have effect as if the reference to an officer of the Crown other than a Minister included the Commission’s chief executive.

(2) Any administration function conferred on the Commission’s chief executive under section 1(2) of the [1972 c. 11.] Superannuation Act 1972 (as it has effect in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)) may be exercised by (or by employees of) such person as may be authorised in that behalf by the Commission’s chief executive.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph an “administration function” is a function of administering schemes—

(a) made under section 1 of the [1972 c. 11.] Superannuation Act 1972, and

(b) from time to time in force.

(4) An authorisation given by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) may authorise the exercise of an administration function—

(a) either wholly or to such extent as may be specified in the authorisation;

(b) either generally or in such cases as may be so specified; and

(c) either unconditionally or subject to the fulfilment of such conditions as may be so specified.

(5) An authorisation given by virtue of sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) shall be treated for all purposes as if it were given by virtue of an order under section 69 of the [1994 c. 40.] Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 (contracting out of functions of Ministers and office-holders);

(b) may be revoked at any time by the Commission (as well as by the chief executive).

Financing of Commission

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.

Five-year plan

15 (1) When the Commission submit to the Speaker’s Committee such an estimate as is mentioned in paragraph 14 the Commission shall also submit to the Committee a plan prepared by the Commission setting out the Commission's—

(a) aims and objectives for the period of five years beginning with the financial year to which the estimate relates, and

(b) estimated requirements for resources during that five-year period.

(2) The Speaker’s Committee shall—

(a) examine each plan submitted to them;

(b) decide whether they are satisfied that the plan 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 plan as they consider appropriate for the purpose of achieving such consistency.

(3) 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.

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

(5) 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 plan,

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.

Annual examination of Commission by Comptroller and Auditor General

16 (1) For the purpose of assisting the Speaker’s Committee to discharge their functions under paragraphs 14 and 15 the Comptroller and Auditor General shall in each year—

(a) carry out an examination into the economy, efficiency or effectiveness (or, if he so determines, any combination thereof) with which the Commission have used their resources in discharging their functions (or, if he so determines, any particular functions of theirs);

(b) report to the Speaker’s Committee the results of the examination; and

(c) include in his report such recommendations as he considers appropriate in the light of the examination.

(2) Section 8 of the [1983 c. 44.] National Audit Act 1983 (right to obtain documents and information) shall apply in relation to any examination under this paragraph as it applies in relation to an examination under section 6 of that Act.

Accounts

17 (1) The Commission shall keep proper accounting records.

(2) The Commission shall, for each financial year, prepare accounts in accordance with directions given to the Commission by the Treasury.

(3) The directions which the Treasury may give under sub-paragraph (2) include, in particular, directions as to—

(a) the information to be contained in the accounts and the manner in which it is to be presented,

(b) the methods and principles in accordance with which the accounts are to be prepared, and

(c) the additional information (if any) that is to accompany the accounts.

Audit

18 (1) The accounts prepared by the Commission for any financial year shall be submitted by the Commission to—

(a) the Comptroller and Auditor General, and

(b) the Speaker’s Committee,

as soon after the end of the financial year as may be practicable.

(2) The Comptroller and Auditor General shall—

(a) examine and certify any accounts submitted to him under this paragraph, and

(b) lay before each House of Parliament a copy of the accounts as certified by him together with his report on them.

Accounting officer

19 (1) The Speaker’s Committee shall designate a member of the Commission’s staff to be the Commission’s accounting officer.

(2) The Commission’s accounting officer shall have, in relation to the Commission’s accounts and finances, the responsibilities that are from time to time specified by the Speaker’s Committee.

(3) In this paragraph references to responsibilities include in particular—

(a) responsibilities in relation to the signing of accounts;

(b) responsibilities for the propriety and regularity of the Commission’s finances; and

(c) responsibilities for the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which the Commission’s resources are used.

(4) The responsibilities which may be specified under this paragraph include responsibilities owed to the Commission, the Speaker’s Committee or the House of Commons or its Committee of Public Accounts.

(5) In this paragraph any reference to the Public Accounts Committee of the House of Commons shall, if—

(a) the name of the Committee is changed, or

(b) the functions of the Committee at the passing of this Act (or functions substantially corresponding thereto) become functions of a different committee of the House of Commons,

be taken to be references to the Committee by its new name or (as the case may be) to the committee by whom the functions are for the time being exercisable.

(6) The Secretary of State may designate any member of the Commission’s staff or other person to be the Commission’s accounting officer until such time as the first designation made under sub-paragraph (1) takes effect.

Reports

20 (1) The Commission shall, as soon after the end of each financial year as may be practicable, prepare and lay before each House of Parliament a report about the performance of the Commission’s functions during that financial year.

(2) The Commission shall, on so laying such a report, publish the report in such manner as they determine.

Notification of Commission regulations

21 (1) If the Commission make any regulations, they must give a copy to the Secretary of State without delay.

(2) If the Commission alter or revoke any regulations, they must give notice to the Secretary of State without delay.

(3) Notice of an alteration must include details of the alteration.

Regulation-making instruments

22 (1) Any power conferred on the Commission to make regulations is exercisable in writing.

(2) An instrument by which regulations are made by the Commission (“a regulation-making instrument”) must specify the provision under which the regulations are made.

(3) To the extent to which a regulation-making instrument does not comply with sub-paragraph (2), it is void.

(4) Immediately after a regulation-making instrument is made, it must be printed and made available to the public.

(5) The Commission may charge a reasonable fee for providing a person with a copy of a regulation-making instrument.

(6) A person is not to be taken to have contravened any regulation made by the Commission if he shows that at the time of the alleged contravention the regulation-making instrument concerned had not been made available in accordance with this paragraph.

(7) Any power of the Commission to make regulations includes power to make different provision for different cases.

Verification of regulations

23 (1) The production of a printed copy of a regulation-making instrument purporting to be made by the Commission—

(a) on which is endorsed a certificate signed by a member of the Commission’s staff authorised by the Commission for that purpose, and

(b) which contains the required statements,

is evidence (or in Scotland sufficient evidence) of the facts stated in the certificate.

(2) The required statements are—

(a) that the instrument was made by the Commission;

(b) that the copy is a true copy of the instrument; and

(c) that on a specified date the instrument was made available to the public in accordance with paragraph 22(4).

(3) A certificate purporting to be signed as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) is to be taken to have been properly signed unless the contrary is shown.

(4) A person who wishes in any legal proceedings to rely on a regulation-making instrument may require the Commission to endorse a copy of the instrument with a certificate of the kind mentioned in sub-paragraph (1).

Documentary evidence

24 A document purporting to be—

(a) duly executed under the seal of the Commission, or

(b) signed on behalf of the Commission or a Boundary Committee,

shall be received in evidence and shall, unless the contrary is proved, be taken to be so executed or signed.

Interpretation

25 In this Schedule “delegate” includes further delegate.

Section 2.

SCHEDULE 2 The Speaker’s Committee

Reports

1 (1) The Speaker’s Committee shall, at least once in each year, make to the House of Commons a report on the exercise by the Committee of their functions.

(2) For the purposes of the law of defamation the publication of any matter by the Speaker’s Committee in making such a report shall be absolutely privileged.

Term of office of Committee members

2 (1) In this paragraph “appointed member” means a member of the Speaker’s Committee other than—

(a) the Speaker of the House of Commons;

(b) the member who is the Chairman of the Home Affairs Committee of the House of Commons; or

(c) the member who is the Secretary of State for the Home Department.

(2) An appointed member shall cease to be a member of the Speaker’s Committee if—

(a) he ceases to be a Member of the House of Commons; or

(b) another person is appointed to be a member of the Committee in his place.

(3) An appointed member may resign from the Committee at any time by giving notice to the Speaker.

(4) Subject to sub-paragraphs (2) and (3), an appointed member shall be a member of the Committee for the duration of the Parliament in which he is appointed.

(5) An appointed member may be re-appointed (or further re-appointed) to membership of the Committee.

Committee proceedings

3 (1) The Speaker’s Committee may determine their own procedure.

(2) The validity of any proceedings of the Committee shall not be affected by—

(a) any vacancy among, or

(b) any defect in the appointment of any of,

the members of the Committee.

(3) The Committee may appoint a member of the Committee to act as chairman at any meeting of the Committee in the absence of the Speaker.

Section 16.

SCHEDULE 3 Transfer of functions of Boundary Commissions

Part I Amendments of Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986

Preliminary

1 The [1986 c. 56.] Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 shall be amended as follows.

Duty to keep under review, and report on, parliamentary representation

2 (1) Section 3 (reports of the Commissions) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for the words from “Each Boundary Commission” to “the whole of that part” there shall be substituted “The Electoral Commission shall keep under review the representation in the House of Commons of each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland and shall, in accordance with subsection (2) below, submit to the Secretary of State separate reports with respect to the whole of each of those parts”.

(3) For subsection (2) there shall be substituted—

“(2) Reports under subsection (1) with respect to a particular part of the United Kingdom shall be submitted by the Electoral Commission not less than eight nor more than twelve years from the date of the last report under that subsection with respect to that part of the United Kingdom.”

(4) In subsection (2A), for “a Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission”.

(5) In subsection (3)—

(a) for “Any Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “The Electoral Commission”; and

(b) for “the part of the United Kingdom with which they are concerned” there shall be substituted “any part of the United Kingdom”.

(6) In subsection (4), for “a Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission”.

(7) For subsection (5) there shall be substituted—

“(5) As soon as practicable after the Electoral Commission have submitted a report to the Secretary of State under this Act, he shall lay before Parliament—

(a) the report; and

(b) (except where the report states that no alteration is required to be made in respect of the part of the United Kingdom to which it relates) the draft of an Order in Council for giving effect to the recommendations contained in the report.”

(8) In subsection (7)—

(a) for “a Boundary Commission under subsection (1) above” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission under subsection (1) above with respect to a particular part of the United Kingdom”;

(b) for “of the Commission under subsection (1) above” there shall be substituted “under subsection (1) above with respect to that part of the United Kingdom”; and

(c) for “a Boundary Commission publishing” there shall be substituted “a Boundary Committee publishing under section 5 below”.

(9) For the sidenote for section 3 there shall be substituted “Reports of the Electoral Commission.”

(10) In section 3(2) and (7), as amended by this paragraph, any reference to a previous report under section 3(1) with respect to a particular part of the United Kingdom includes a reference to such a report which, at any time before the coming into force of this paragraph in relation to that part, was made with respect to that part by one of the Boundary Commissions constituted under the Act.

Functions of Boundary Committees

3 After section 3 there shall be inserted—

“3A Reviews and proposed recommendations by Boundary Committees

(1) Where the Electoral Commission intend to consider making a report under this Act (“the section 3 report”) with respect to—

(a) a particular part of the United Kingdom, or

(b) any area comprised in a particular part of the United Kingdom,

the Boundary Committee for that part of the United Kingdom shall (subject to subsection (4) below) carry out a review in accordance with this Act for the purpose of enabling them to submit to the Electoral Commission proposals as to the recommendations to be included in the section 3 report.

(2) Once the Boundary Committee have carried out a review under subsection (1) above, they shall accordingly submit to the Electoral Commission a report containing the recommendations which the Committee propose should be included in the section 3 report in the light of the review.

(3) Where the Electoral Commission have received a report of a Boundary Committee under subsection (2) above, the Commission may—

(a) accept in full the proposed recommendations contained in that report and include them in the section 3 report;

(b) accept those proposed recommendations subject to modifications agreed with the Committee and include them, as so modified, in the section 3 report;

(c) reject those proposed recommendations and either—

(i) require the Committee to reconsider their proposed recommendations with a view to deciding whether to submit a further report under subsection (2) above containing different proposed recommendations,

(ii) require the Committee to carry out a fresh review under subsection (1) above with respect to the whole, or any specified part, of the area which was the subject of the original review, or

(iii) (in the case only of a review carried out for the purposes of a report under section 3(3) above) take no further action.

(4) A Boundary Committee shall, in or in connection with the exercise or performance of their powers or duties under this Act, comply with any directions given to them by the Commission (so far as consistent with the rules set out in paragraphs 1 to 6 of Schedule 2 to this Act (read with paragraph 7)).

(5) In this Act—

(a) “Boundary Committee” means a Boundary Committee established by the Electoral Commission under section 14 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000; and

(b) “recommendations” includes (unless the context otherwise requires) a recommendation that no alteration is required.”

Implementation of Commission’s reports

4 (1) Section 4 (Orders in Council) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for the words from “, whether with or without modifications,” to “Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “to the recommendations contained in a report of the Electoral Commission under this Act”.

(3) Subsection (2) (draft Order implementing recommendations with modifications) shall be omitted.

Notices relating to proposed reports or recommendations

5 For section 5 there shall be substituted—

“5 Notices relating to proposed reports or recommendations

(1) Where the Electoral Commission intend to consider making a report under this Act, they shall inform the Secretary of State accordingly by notice in writing; and a copy of the notice shall be published—

(a) in the London Gazette, if the report would be with respect to England or Wales (or an area comprised therein);

(b) in the Edinburgh Gazette, if the report would be with respect to Scotland (or an area comprised therein); and

(c) in the Belfast Gazette, if the report would be with respect to Northern Ireland (or an area comprised therein).

(2) Where a Boundary Committee have provisionally determined proposed recommendations affecting any constituency which they are minded to include in a report under section 3A(2) above, they shall publish in at least one newspaper circulating in the constituency a notice stating—

(a) the effect of the proposed recommendations and (except where their effect is that no alteration should be made in respect of the constituency) that a copy of the recommendations is open to inspection at a specified place in the constituency; and

(b) that representations with respect to the proposed recommendations may be made to the Boundary Committee within one month after publication of the notice;

and the Boundary Committee shall take into consideration any representations duly made in accordance with any such notice.

(3) Where a Boundary Committee revise any proposed recommendations after publishing a notice of them under subsection (2) above, the Committee shall comply again with that subsection in relation to the revised recommendations, as if no earlier notice had been published.

(4) Where the Electoral Commission are minded to exercise in relation to a Boundary Committee’s proposed recommendations any of the powers conferred by section 3A(3)(b) or (c) above, they shall have regard to—

(a) any representations duly made with respect to the recommendations in accordance with a notice published under subsection (2) above; or

(b) (where they are minded to exercise any of those powers in relation to part only of the area subject to the Committee’s review) any representations so made with respect to the recommendations so far as relating to that part of that area.

(5) Where a Boundary Committee’s proposed recommendations affecting any constituency have been modified by the Electoral Commission under section 3A(3)(b) above, the Boundary Committee shall publish in at least one newspaper circulating in the constituency a notice stating the effect of those recommendations as so modified.”

Local inquiries

6 (1) Section 6 (local inquiries) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for “A Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “In connection with carrying out any review under section 3A(1) above a Boundary Committee”.

(3) In subsection (2)—

(a) for “recommendation of a Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “proposed recommendation of a Boundary Committee”;

(b) for “the Commission”, in both places, there shall be substituted “the Committee”; and

(c) for “make the recommendation” there shall be substituted “proceed with the proposed recommendation”.

(4) In subsection (3), for “Commission” there shall be substituted “Committee”.

(5) After subsection (4) there shall be inserted—

“(4A) Where a Boundary Committee have caused a local inquiry to be held in pursuance of this Act, the Committee shall take into consideration the findings of the inquiry.

(4B) Where a Boundary Committee have caused a local inquiry to be held in pursuance of this Act and the Electoral Commission are minded to exercise in relation to the Committee’s proposed recommendations any of the powers conferred by section 3A(3)(b) or (c) above, the Electoral Commission shall have regard to—

(a) the findings of the inquiry; or

(b) (where they are minded to exercise any of those powers in relation to part only of the area which was the subject of the Committee’s review) the findings of the inquiry so far as relating to that part of that area.”

(6) In subsections (5) to (7), for “Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “Committee”.

Rules for redistribution of seats

7 (1) Schedule 2 (rules for redistribution of seats) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In paragraph 1(4), for “the Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission or (as the case may be) the Boundary Committee”.

(3) In paragraph 5, for “a Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission or (as the case may be) a Boundary Committee”.

(4) In paragraph 6, for “A Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “The Electoral Commission or (as the case may be) a Boundary Committee”.

(5) In paragraph 7, for “a Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission or (as the case may be) a Boundary Committee”.

(6) In paragraph 8—

(a) the words “for which there is a Boundary Commission” shall be omitted; and

(b) for “report of a Boundary Commission” there shall be substituted “report of the Electoral Commission (or one made by a Boundary Committee for the purposes of it)”.

Part II Amendments of other Acts

Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

8 Schedule 1 to the Government of Wales Act 1998 (Assembly constituencies and Assembly regions) shall be amended as follows.

9 For paragraph 4 there shall be substituted—

“4 (1) When the Boundary Committee for Wales (“the Committee”) provisionally determine (in pursuance of the 1986 Act) proposed recommendations which they are minded to include in a report under section 3A(2) of that Act and which would involve any alterations in any parliamentary constituencies in Wales, the Committee shall consider whether any alteration—

(a) in the Assembly electoral regions, or

(b) in the allocation of seats to the Assembly electoral regions,

would be required in order to give effect to the rules set out in paragraph 8.

(2) Any such report by the Committee as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) shall contain, in addition, the recommendations which, in the light of their consideration of the question mentioned in that sub-paragraph, the Committee propose should be included in the Electoral Commission’s section 3 report in pursuance of paragraph 7.

(3) In section 3A of the 1986 Act—

(a) subsection (3) shall apply with any necessary modifications in relation to any such proposed recommendations as they apply in relation to any proposed recommendations of a Boundary Committee under section 3A(2) of that Act; and

(b) in subsection (4), the first reference to that Act shall include a reference to this Schedule, and the reference to the rules set out as there mentioned shall include a reference to the rules set out in paragraph 8.

(4) In this paragraph—

• “the Boundary Committee for Wales” means the Committee of that name established by the Electoral Commission under section 14 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000;

• “the Electoral Commission’s section 3 report” means the report of the Electoral Commission under section 3 of the 1986 Act for the purposes of which the proposed recommendations mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) would be made.”

10 (1) Paragraph 5 (notices of proposed recommendations) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1), for “paragraph 4, the Commission have provisionally determined to make” there shall be substituted “paragraph 4(1), the Committee have provisionally determined to propose (in pursuance of paragraph 4(2))”.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) for “the Commission propose to recommend” there shall be substituted “their effect is”; and

(b) for “to the Commission” there shall be substituted “to the Committee”.

(4) In sub-paragraphs (3) to (5), for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Committee”.

(5) After sub-paragraph (5) there shall be inserted—

“(5A) Where the Electoral Commission are minded to exercise in relation to the Committee’s proposed recommendations any of the powers conferred by section 3A(3)(b) or (c) of the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 4(3) above) they shall have regard to—

(a) any representations duly made with respect to the recommendations in accordance with any notice published under sub-paragraph (1); or

(b) (where they are minded to exercise any of those powers in relation to part only of the Assembly electoral region) any representations so made with respect to the recommendations so far as relating to that part of the region.

(5B) Where the Committee’s proposed recommendations have been modified by the Electoral Commission under section 3A(3)(b) of the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 4(3) above), the Committee shall publish in at least one newspaper circulating in the Assembly electoral region a notice stating the effect of those recommendations as so modified.”

11 (1) Paragraph 6 (local inquiries) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) for “The Commission” there shall be substituted “For the purposes of this Schedule the Committee”.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Committee”; and

(b) for “make the recommendation” there shall be substituted “proceed with the proposed recommendation”.

(4) In sub-paragraphs (3) and (5), for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Committee”.

(5) After sub-paragraph (5) there shall be added—

“(6) Where the Committee have caused a local inquiry to be held in pursuance of this paragraph, the Committee shall take into consideration the findings of the inquiry.

(7) Where the Committee have caused a local inquiry to be held in pursuance of this paragraph and the Electoral Commission are minded to exercise in relation to the Committee’s proposed recommendations any of the powers conferred by section 3A(3)(b) or (c) of the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 4(3) above), the Electoral Commission shall have regard to—

(a) the findings of the inquiry; or

(b) (where, in the case of any Assembly electoral region in respect of which the inquiry was held, they are minded to exercise any of those powers in relation to part only of the region) the findings of the inquiry so far as relating to that part of the region.”

12 In paragraph 7 (reports)—

(a) for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission”;

(b) in sub-paragraph (1)(a), after “constituencies” there shall be inserted “in Wales”; and

(c) in sub-paragraph (1)(b), at the end there shall be added “relating to any constituency or constituencies in Wales.”

13 In paragraph 8 (the rules), for “Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “Electoral Commission or (as the case may be) the Committee”.

14 In paragraph 9(1) (Orders in Council), for the words from “, with or without modifications,” to “the Commission” there shall be substituted “to the recommendations contained in a report of the Electoral Commission”.

15 In paragraph 10 (interpretation)—

(a) for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission”; and

(b) at the end there shall be added—

“(3) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) also apply for construing references to the regional electorate for an Assembly electoral region in relation to any report of the Committee made for the purposes of any such report of the Electoral Commission.”

16 In paragraph 11 (definitions)—

(a) for the definition of “the Commission” there shall be substituted—

““the Committee” means the Boundary Committee for Wales (as defined by paragraph 4(4));”; and

(b) after that definition there shall be added—

““recommendations” includes (unless the context otherwise requires) a recommendation that no alteration is required.”

Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)

17 Schedule 1 to the Scotland Act 1998 (constituencies, regions and regional members) shall be amended as follows.

18 In paragraph 3 (reports of Boundary Commission for Scotland), for sub-paragraph (1) and the cross-heading preceding it there shall be substituted—

“Reports of Electoral Commission

3 (1) This paragraph applies where the Electoral Commission (“the Commission”) submit a report to the Secretary of State under section 3(1) or (3) of the 1986 Act recommending any alteration in any parliamentary constituencies in Scotland.”

19 After paragraph 4 there shall be inserted—

“Proposed recommendations by Boundary Committee for Scotland

4A (1) When the Boundary Committee for Scotland provisionally determine (in pursuance of the 1986 Act) proposed recommendations which they are minded to include in a report under section 3A(2) of that Act and which would involve any alteration in any parliamentary constituencies in Scotland, the Committee shall consider whether any alteration within paragraph 3(2) would be required to be made in order to give effect to the rules in paragraph 7.

(2) Any such report by the Committee as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) shall contain, in addition, the recommendations which the Committee propose should be included in the Electoral Commission’s section 3 report in the light of the Committee’s consideration of the question mentioned in that sub-paragraph.

(3) In section 3A of the 1986 Act—

(a) subsection (3) shall apply with any necessary modifications in relation to any such proposed recommendations as they apply in relation to any proposed recommendations of a Boundary Committee under section 3A(2) of that Act; and

(b) in subsection (4), the first reference to that Act shall include a reference to this Schedule, and the reference to the rules set out as there mentioned shall include a reference to the rules set out in paragraph 7.

(4) In this paragraph—

• “the Boundary Committee for Scotland” means the Committee of that name established by the Electoral Commission under section 14 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000;

• “the Electoral Commission’s section 3 report” means the report of the Electoral Commission under section 3 of the 1986 Act for the purposes of which the proposed recommendations mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) would be made.”

20 (1) Paragraph 5 (notices of proposed recommendations) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) for “the Commission have provisionally determined to make” there shall be substituted “the Committee have provisionally determined to propose (in pursuance of paragraph 4A(2))”;

(b) for “they propose to recommend” there shall be substituted “their effect is”; and

(c) for “to the Commission” and “the Commission shall” there shall be substituted “to the Committee” and “the Committee shall” respectively.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2), for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Committee”.

(4) After sub-paragraph (2) there shall be inserted—

“(3) Where the Electoral Commission are minded to exercise in relation to the Committee’s proposed recommendations any of the powers conferred by section 3A(3)(b) or (c) of the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 4A(3) above) they shall have regard to—

(a) any representations duly made with respect to the recommendations in accordance with any notice published under sub-paragraph (1); or

(b) (where they are minded to exercise any of those powers in relation to part only of the region) any representations so made with respect to the recommendations so far as relating to that part of the region.

(4) Where the Committee’s proposed recommendations have been modified by the Electoral Commission under section 3A(3)(b) of the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 4A(3) above), the Committee shall publish in at least one newspaper circulating in the region a notice stating the effect of those recommendations as so modified.”

21 (1) Paragraph 6 (local inquiries) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) for “The Commission” there shall be substituted “For the purposes of this Schedule the Committee”.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) for “the Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “the Committee”; and

(b) for “make the recommendation” there shall be substituted “proceed with the proposed recommendation”.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3), for “the Commission” there shall be substituted “the Committee”.

(5) After sub-paragraph (5) there shall be added—

“(6) Where the Committee have caused a local inquiry to be held in pursuance of this paragraph, the Committee shall take into consideration the findings of the inquiry.

(7) Where the Committee have caused a local inquiry to be held in pursuance of this paragraph and the Electoral Commission are minded to exercise in relation to the Committee’s proposed recommendations any of the powers conferred by section 3A(3)(b) or (c) of the 1986 Act (as applied by paragraph 4(3) above), the Electoral Commission shall have regard to—

(a) the findings of the inquiry; or

(b) (where, in the case of any region in respect of which the inquiry was held, they are minded to exercise any of those powers in relation to part only of the region) the findings of the inquiry so far as relating to that part of the region.”

22 In paragraph 7 (the rules), for “Commission”, wherever occurring, there shall be substituted “Electoral Commission or (as the case may be) the Committee”.

23 In paragraph 8 (meaning of regional electorate)—

(a) in sub-paragraph (1), for “the Commission” there shall be substituted “the Electoral Commission”; and

(b) at the end there shall be added—

“(3) Sub-paragraphs (1) and (2) also apply for construing references to the regional electorate in relation to any report of the Committee made for the purposes of any such report of the Electoral Commission.”

24 After paragraph 8 there shall be added—

“Interpretation

9 In this Schedule—

• “the 1986 Act” means the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986;

• “the Committee” means the Boundary Committee for Scotland (as defined by paragraph 4A(4));

• “recommendations” includes (unless the context otherwise requires) a recommendation that no alteration is required.”

Sections 28, 30, 31 and 33.

SCHEDULE 4 Applications under Part II

Part I Application for registration

Introductory

1 (1) Paragraphs 2 to 7 must be complied with in relation to an application under section 28.

(2) Such an application must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by order made by the Secretary of State.

(3) In the following provisions of this Part of this Schedule “an application” means an application under section 28.

Names

2 (1) An application for registration in the Great Britain register must specify either—

(a) a name to be the party’s registered name, or

(b) a name in Welsh and a name in English to be the party’s registered names.

(2) If a name to be registered in that register is in a language other than English or Welsh, the application must include an English translation.

(3) An application for registration in the Northern Ireland register must specify either—

(a) a name to be the party’s registered name, or

(b) a name in Irish and a name in English to be the party’s registered names.

(4) If a name to be registered in that register is in a language other than English or Irish, the application must include an English translation.

Headquarters

3 (1) An application must specify—

(a) the address of the party’s headquarters, or

(b) if the party has no headquarters, an address to which communications to the party may be sent.

(2) Where the party is a party with accounting units, any reference to the party in sub-paragraph (1) above is to be read as a reference to the central organisation.

Registered officers

4 (1) An application must give the name and home address of each of the following—

(a) a person to be registered as the party’s leader;

(b) a person to be registered as the party’s nominating officer;

(c) a person to be registered as the party’s treasurer.

(2) If the application is for the party to be registered as a party with a campaigns officer, the application must also give the name and home address of a person to be registered as the party’s campaigns officer.

(3) If the person to be registered as the party’s leader is (as mentioned in section 24(2)) the leader of the party for some particular purpose, the application must specify that purpose.

(4) If one person is named in an application as leader, nominating officer and treasurer, the application must also give the name and home address of the holder of some other specified office in the party.

Party organisation

5 (1) An application must be accompanied by—

(a) a copy of the party’s constitution (within the meaning of section 26); and

(b) a draft of the scheme which the party proposes to adopt for the purposes of section 26 if approved by the Commission under that section.

(2) Where the party is a party with accounting units, the application must state in relation to each accounting unit—

(a) the name of the accounting unit and of its treasurer and of the officer to be registered for the purposes of section 27(3), and

(b) the address of its headquarters or, if it has no headquarters, an address to which communications to the accounting unit may be sent.

Additional information

6 An application must include any other information prescribed by regulations made by the Commission.

Signature

7 (1) An application must be signed—

(a) by the proposed registered leader or registered nominating officer,

(b) by the proposed registered treasurer, and

(c) (if the application is for the party to be registered as a party with a campaigns officer) by the proposed registered campaigns officer,

and must include a declaration by each person signing the application that he is authorised to sign it on behalf of the party.

(2) An application may be signed by the same person in his capacity as proposed registered leader or registered nominating officer and in his capacity as proposed registered treasurer or as proposed registered campaigns officer, but in that case it must be apparent from the application that he is signing it in both of those capacities.

Part II Application for alteration of entry

Introductory

8 (1) Paragraph 9 and (if applicable) paragraph 10 must be complied with in relation to an application under section 30.

(2) Such an application must be accompanied by any fee prescribed by order made by the Secretary of State.

(3) In paragraphs 9 and 10 “an application” means an application under section 30.

Signature

9 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), an application must be signed by the responsible officers of the party.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph “the responsible officers” are—

(a) the registered leader;

(b) the registered nominating officer;

(c) the registered treasurer;

(d) where the leader, the nominating officer and the treasurer are the same person, any other registered officer.

(3) If any responsible officer is unable to sign an application—

(a) the holder of some other office in the party may sign in his place, and

(b) the application must include a statement of the reason why the responsible officer is unable to sign and a declaration that the holder of the other office is authorised to sign in his place.

Details of campaigns officer

10 If an application is for the addition of a statement that the party is registered as a party with a campaigns officer, the application must—

(a) give the name and home address of the person who is to be registered as the party’s campaigns officer; and

(b) be accompanied by a declaration of acceptance of office signed by that person.

Part III Application for registration of replacement officer

Introductory

11 (1) Paragraphs 12 and 13 must be complied with in relation to an application under section 31(3)(a).

(2) In paragraphs 12 and 13 “an application” means an application under section 31(3)(a).

Details of replacement etc. officers

12 (1) If as a result of an application one person will be registered as leader, nominating officer and treasurer, the application must request the addition of the name of the holder of some other specified office in the party.

(2) If an application requests—

(a) the substitution of the name of a leader, nominating officer, treasurer or other officer, or

(b) an addition in accordance with sub-paragraph (1),

the application must give the home address of the person whose name is to be substituted or added.

Signature

13 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (3), an application must be signed by—

(a) each person (other than the person to be registered in pursuance of the application) who is one of the responsible officers of the party; and

(b) the person who is to be so registered.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph “the responsible officers” has the same meaning as in paragraph 9.

(3) If any such person as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a) is unable to sign an application—

(a) the holder of some other office in the party may sign in his place, and

(b) the application must include a statement of the reason why the person in question is unable to sign and a declaration that the holder of the other office is authorised to sign in his place.

Part IV Application for removal of entry

Signature

14 Paragraph 9 above shall apply in relation to an application under section 33 as it applies in relation to an application under section 30.

Section 49.

SCHEDULE 5 Accounting units: application of accounting requirements

Introductory

1 (1) This Schedule provides for the application of sections 41 to 48 in a case where a registered party is a party with accounting units.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule all or any of the following are financial matters relating to a party or (as the case may be) an accounting unit, namely—

(a) its transactions and financial position; and

(b) its assets and liabilities.

(3) For the purposes of this Schedule, and any provision as applied by this Schedule, an accounting unit’s financial year is the same as that of the party.

(4) In this Schedule “treasurer”, in relation to an accounting unit, means the person specified in the Great Britain or Northern Ireland register as the unit’s treasurer.

(5) If any question arises under this Schedule as to whether, in relation to any matter, anything falls to be done by the treasurer of a party or by the treasurer of an accounting unit, it shall be determined by the Commission.

Accounting records

2 (1) Section 41—

(a) shall not impose any duty on the treasurer of the party in relation to any financial matters relating to any accounting unit; but

(b) shall apply with any necessary modifications to the treasurer of each such unit so as to make provision for or in connection with requiring the keeping and preservation of proper accounting records with respect to financial matters relating to the unit.

(2) In its application in relation to an accounting unit, section 41(5) shall be read as if the reference to the last treasurer of the party were to the last treasurer of the unit.

Annual statements of accounts

3 (1) Section 42—

(a) shall not impose any duty on the treasurer of the party in relation to any financial matter relating to any accounting unit; but

(b) shall apply with any necessary modifications to the treasurer of each such unit so as to make provision for or in connection with requiring the preparation, in respect of each financial year, of a statement of accounts relating to financial matters relating to the unit.

(2) In its application in relation to any such statement of accounts, section 42(2)(b) shall be read as requiring approval—

(a) by the management committee of the unit, if there is one; and

(b) otherwise by an officer of the unit other than its treasurer.

(3) In its application in relation to a party with accounting units or (as the case may be) to any accounting unit, section 42(4)(a) shall be read as if the reference to the gross income or total expenditure of the party were—

(a) to the gross income or total expenditure of the party exclusive of any income or expenditure of any accounting unit, or

(b) to the gross income or total expenditure of the unit,

as the case may be.

Annual audits

4 (1) Section 43 shall apply in relation to any accounting unit and its treasurer as it applies in relation to the party and its treasurer.

(2) In its application in relation to the party or (as the case may be) to any accounting unit, section 43(1) or (2) shall be read as if the reference to the gross income or total expenditure of the party were—

(a) to the gross income or total expenditure of the party exclusive of any income or expenditure of any accounting unit, or

(b) to the gross income or total expenditure of the unit,

as the case may be.

Supplementary provisions about auditors

5 (1) Section 44 shall apply in relation to any accounting unit and the treasurer, or any other officer, of any such unit as it applies in relation to the party and the treasurer, or any other officer, of the party.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) any reference to a treasurer or other officer includes a former treasurer or other officer.

Submission of statements of accounts etc. to Commission

6 (1) In the case of any accounting unit whose gross income or total expenditure in a financial year exceeds £25,000, section 45 shall (except so far as it relates to any notification under section 32) apply in relation to the accounting unit and the treasurer of the unit as it applies in relation to the party and the treasurer of the party.

(2) If the Commission in the case of any other accounting unit at any time so require by notice in relation to any financial year, the treasurer of the unit shall no later than the relevant date send the Commission—

(a) the statement of accounts prepared for that year in accordance with paragraph 3, and

(b) if the unit’s accounts for that year have been audited in accordance with paragraph 4, a copy of the auditor’s report.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) “the relevant date” means—

(a) if the unit’s accounts for the financial year are not required to be audited in accordance with paragraph 4, the end of the period of three months from the end of that year or (if later) the end of the period of 30 days beginning with the day when the requirement under sub-paragraph (2) is imposed;

(b) if the unit’s accounts for that year are required to be so audited, the end of the period of six months from the end of that year or (if later) the end of the period of three months beginning with the date when the requirement under sub-paragraph (2) is imposed.

(4) If for any special reason the Commission think it fit to do so they may, on an application made to them before the end of the period otherwise allowed under this paragraph for sending a unit’s documents within sub-paragraph (2) for any financial year, by notice extend that period by a further period specified in the notice.

(5) Any reference to section 45 in any of sections 46 to 48 (as they apply in accordance with this Schedule) shall be read as including a reference to sub-paragraph (2) above.

Public inspection of parties' statements of accounts

7 Section 46 shall apply in relation to any statement of accounts received by the Commission from an accounting unit as it applies in relation to a statement of accounts received by them from the party.

Criminal penalty for failure to submit proper statement of accounts etc.

8 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 47 shall apply in relation to any accounting unit and the treasurer of any such unit as it applies in relation to the party and the treasurer of the party.

(2) In a case where paragraph 6(2) applies—

(a) subsection (4) of section 47 shall not apply, and

(b) the relevant period for the purposes of that section (as it applies in accordance with sub-paragraph (1) above) shall instead be the period allowed by paragraph 6(2) and (3) for sending the statement of accounts or auditor’s report to the Commission or, if that period has been extended under paragraph 6(4), that period as so extended.

Revision of statement of accounts

9 (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), section 48 shall apply in relation to any accounting unit and the treasurer of any such unit as it applies in relation to the party and the treasurer of the party.

(2) In its application in relation to any such unit—

(a) section 48(7) shall have effect with the omission of the reference to the registered leader of the party; and

(b) section 48(8) shall accordingly have effect with the omission of paragraphs (a) and (b) and all references to the registered leader of the party.

Sections 62 and 63.

SCHEDULE 6 Details to be given in donation reports

Preliminary

1 (1) In this Schedule—

(a) “quarterly report” means a report required to be prepared by virtue of section 62;

(b) “weekly report” means a report required to be prepared by virtue of section 63;

and “recordable donation”, in relation to a quarterly or weekly report, means a donation required to be recorded in that report.

(2) References in this Schedule to a registered party shall, in the case of a party with accounting units, be read as references to the central organisation of the party.

Identity of donors: quarterly reports

2 (1) In relation to each recordable donation (other than one to which paragraph 6 or 7 applies) a quarterly report must give the following information about the donor—

(a) the information required by any of sub-paragraphs (2) to (10), (12) and (13) below; and

(b) such other information as may be required by regulations made by the Secretary of State after consulting the Commission;

or, in the case of a donation falling within sub-paragraph (11) below, the information required by that sub-paragraph.

(2) In the case of an individual the report must give his full name and—

(a) if his address is, at the date of receipt of the donation, shown in an electoral register (within the meaning of section 54), that address; and

(b) otherwise, his home address (whether in the United Kingdom or elsewhere).

(3) Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply in the case of a donation in the form of a bequest, and in such a case the report must state that the donation was received in pursuance of a bequest and give—

(a) the full name of the person who made the bequest; and

(b) his address at the time of his death or, if he was not then registered in an electoral register (within the meaning of section 54) at that address, the last address at which he was so registered during the period of five years ending with the date of his death.

(4) In the case of a company falling within section 54(2)(b) the report must give—

(a) the company’s registered name;

(b) the address of its registered office; and

(c) the number with which it is registered.

(5) In the case of a registered party the report must give—

(a) the party’s registered name; and

(b) the address of its registered headquarters.

(6) In the case of a trade union falling within section 54(2)(d) the report must give—

(a) the name of the union, and

(b) the address of its head or main office,

as shown in the list kept under the [1992 c. 52.] Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 or the [S.I. 1992/807 (N.I.5).] Industrial Relations (Northern Ireland) Order 1992.

(7) In the case of a building society within the meaning of the [1986 c. 53.] Building Societies Act 1986, the report must give—

(a) the name of the society; and

(b) the address of its principal office.

(8) In the case of a limited liability partnership falling within section 54(2)(f), the report must give—

(a) the partnership’s registered name; and

(b) the address of its registered office.

(9) In the case of a friendly or other registered society falling within section 54(2)(g) the report must give—

(a) the name of the society, and

(b) the address of its registered office.

(10) In the case of an unincorporated association falling within section 54(2)(h) the report must give—

(a) the name of the association; and

(b) the address of its main office in the United Kingdom.

(11) In the case of a payment to which section 55(2) applies the report must give the statutory or other provision under which it was made.

(12) In the case of a donation to which section 55(3) applies, the report must give the full name and address of the donor.

(13) In the case of a donation to which section 55(5) applies, the report must state that the donation was received from a trustee, and—

(a) in the case of a donation falling within section 162(2), give—

(i) the date on which the trust was created, and

(ii) the full name of the person who created the trust and of every other person by whom, or under whose will, property was transferred to the trust before 27th July 1999, and

(b) in the case of a donation falling within section 162(3), give in respect of—

(i) the person who created the trust, and,

(ii) every other person by whom, or under whose will, property has been transferred to the trust,

the information which is required by any of sub-paragraphs (2) to (10) to be given in respect of the donor of a recordable donation.

(14) In this Act or the Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 any reference (however expressed) to information about the donor of a donation which is framed by reference to this paragraph is, in relation to such a donation as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of sub-paragraph (13), a reference to information about every person specified in paragraph (a) or (b) of that sub-paragraph.

Identity of donors: weekly reports

3 In relation to each recordable donation a weekly report must give all such details of the name and address of the donor as are for the time being known to the party.

Value of donation

4 (1) In relation to each recordable donation a quarterly or weekly report must give the following details about the donation.

(2) If the donation was a donation of money (in cash or otherwise) the report must give the amount of the donation.

(3) Otherwise the report must give details of the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with section 53.

Circumstances in which donation made

5 (1) In relation to each recordable donation a quarterly or weekly report must—

(a) give the relevant date for the donation; and

(b) (in the case of a quarterly report)—

(i) state whether the donation was made to the registered party or any accounting unit of the party; or

(ii) in the case of a donation to which section 62(12) applies, indicate that it is a donation which falls to be treated as made to the party by virtue of that provision.

(2) In the case of a donation to which section 55(3) applies, the report must in addition give—

(a) the date or dates on or between which the visit to which the donation relates took place, and

(b) the destination and purpose of the visit.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph as it applies to a quarterly report, the relevant date for a donation is—

(a) (if within section 62(4)(a) or (7)(a)) the date when the donation was accepted by the party or the accounting unit;

(b) (if within section 62(4)(b) or (7)(b)) the date when the donation was accepted by the party or the accounting unit which caused the aggregate amount in question to be more than the limit specified in that provision;

(c) (if within section 62(9)) the date when the donation was received.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph as it applies to a weekly report, the relevant date for a donation is the date when the donation was received by the party or its central organisation as mentioned in section 63(3).

Donations from impermissible donors

6 In relation to each recordable donation to which section 54(1)(a) applies a quarterly report must—

(a) give the name and address of the donor; and

(b) give the date when, and the manner in which, the donation was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(a).

Donations from unidentifiable donors

7 In relation to each recordable donation to which section 54(1)(b) applies a quarterly report must give—

(a) details of the manner in which it was made,

(b) details of any element of deception or concealment employed by the donor of which the registered party or any accounting unit of the party became aware and the means by which it was revealed; and

(c) the date when, and the manner in which, the donation was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(b).

Other details

8 A quarterly or weekly report must give such other information (if any) as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

Section 71.

SCHEDULE 7 Control of donations to individuals and members associations

Part I Introductory

Operation and interpretation of Schedule

1 (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to—

(a) members of registered parties;

(b) members associations; and

(c) holders of relevant elective offices.

(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.

(3) “Controlled donation”—

(a) in relation to a member of a registered party, means a donation received by that person which is—

(i) offered to him, or

(ii) where it has been accepted, retained by him,

for his use or benefit in connection with any of his political activities as a member of the party;

(b) in relation to a members association, means a donation received by the association which is—

(i) offered to the association, or

(ii) where it has been accepted, retained by the association,

for its use or benefit in connection with any of its political activities;

(c) in relation to a holder of a relevant elective office, means a donation received by that person which is—

(i) offered to him, or

(ii) where it has been accepted, retained by him,

for his use or benefit (as the holder of such an office) in connection with any of his political activities.

(4) For the purposes of this Schedule the political activities of a party member or (as the case may be) of a members association include, in particular—

(a) promoting or procuring the election of any person to any position in, or to any committee of, the party in question;

(b) promoting or procuring the selection of any person as the party’s candidate for election to a relevant elective office; and

(c) promoting or developing policies with a view to their adoption by the party;

and in the application of paragraph (a) or (b) to a party member the reference to any person includes that member.

(5) “Donation” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4; and (in the absence of any express indication) a donation shall be taken to have been offered to, or retained by, a person or organisation as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (c) if, having regard to all the circumstances, it must reasonably be assumed to have been so offered or retained.

(6) “Members association” means any organisation whose membership consists wholly or mainly of members of a registered party, other than—

(a) a registered party falling within section 26(2)(a); or

(b) an organisation falling within section 26(2)(b) (that is, the central organisation of a registered party or an accounting unit of such a party).

(7) “Regulated donee” means—

(a) a member of a registered party;

(b) a members association; or

(c) the holder of a relevant elective office, whether or not he is a member of a registered party.

(8) “Relevant elective office” means the office of—

(a) member of the House of Commons;

(b) member of the European Parliament elected in the United Kingdom;

(c) member of the Scottish Parliament;

(d) member of the National Assembly for Wales;

(e) member of the Northern Ireland Assembly;

(f) member of—

(i) any local authority in any part of the United Kingdom, including the Common Council of the City of London but excluding a parish or community council, or

(ii) the Greater London Assembly; or

(g) Mayor of London or elected mayor within the meaning of Part II of the Local Government Act 2000.

(9) “The responsible person”, in relation to a members association, means—

(a) the treasurer, if there is one, and

(b) otherwise any person responsible for dealing with donations to the association.

(10) Where—

(a) at a time when any order is in force under section 70(1) a donation is received by a regulated donee resident or carrying on activities in Great Britain, and

(b) the order provides for this sub-paragraph to apply to any such donation,

section 54(2)(c) shall have effect in relation to the donation as if it referred only to a registered party which is registered in the Great Britain register.

Donations: general rules

2 (1) “Donation”, in relation to a regulated donee, means (subject to paragraph 4)—

(a) any gift to the donee of money or other property;

(b) any sponsorship provided in relation to the donee (as defined by paragraph 3);

(c) any money spent (otherwise than by or on behalf of the donee) in paying any expenses incurred directly or indirectly by the donee;

(d) any money lent to the donee otherwise than on commercial terms;

(e) the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the donee (including the services of any person);

(f) (where the donee is a members association) any subscription or other fee paid for affiliation to, or membership of, the donee.

(2) Where—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to a regulated donee pursuant to any transaction or arrangement involving the provision by or on behalf of the donee of any property, services or facilities or other consideration of monetary value, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration so provided by or on behalf of the donee is less than the value of the money or (as the case may be) the market value of the property transferred,

the transfer of the money or property shall (subject to sub-paragraph (4)) constitute a gift to the donee for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a).

(3) In determining—

(a) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) whether any money lent to a regulated donee is so lent otherwise than on commercial terms, or

(b) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(e) whether any property, services or facilities provided for the use or benefit of a regulated donee is or are so provided otherwise than on such terms,

regard shall be had to the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the donee in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities.

(4) Where (apart from this sub-paragraph) anything would be a donation both by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(b) and by virtue of any other provision of this paragraph, sub-paragraph (1)(b) (together with paragraph 3) shall apply in relation to it to the exclusion of the other provision of this paragraph.

(5) Anything given or transferred to any officer, member, trustee or agent of a members association in his capacity as such (and not for his own use or benefit) is to be regarded as given or transferred to the association (and references to donations received by a regulated donee accordingly include, in the case of a members association, donations so given or transferred).

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) any reference to anything being given or transferred to a regulated donee or any other person is a reference to its being so given or transferred either directly or indirectly through any third person;

(b) “gift” includes bequest.

Sponsorship

3 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided in relation to a regulated donee if—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to the donee or to any person for the benefit of the donee, and

(b) the purpose (or one of the purposes) of the transfer is (or must, having regard to all the circumstances, reasonably be assumed to be)—

(i) to help the donee with meeting, or to meet, to any extent any defined expenses incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the donee, or

(ii) to secure that to any extent any such expenses are not so incurred.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “defined expenses” means expenses in connection with—

(a) any conference, meeting or other event organised by or on behalf of the donee,

(b) the preparation, production or dissemination of any publication by or on behalf of the donee, or

(c) any study or research organised by or on behalf of the donee.

(3) The following do not, however, constitute sponsorship by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) the making of any payment in respect of—

(i) any charge for admission to any conference, meeting or other event, or

(ii) the purchase price of, or any other charge for access to, any publication;

(b) the making of any payment in respect of the inclusion of an advertisement in any publication where the payment is made at the commercial rate payable for the inclusion of such an advertisement in any such publication.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order made on the recommendation of the Commission amend sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

(5) In this paragraph “publication” means a publication made available in whatever form and by whatever means (whether or not to the public at large or any section of the public).

Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations

4 (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a donation—

(a) any facility provided in pursuance of any right conferred on candidates at an election by any enactment;

(b) the provision of assistance by a person appointed under section 9 of the [1989 c. 42.] Local Government and Housing Act 1989;

(c) the provision by any individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily and in his own time;

(d) any interest accruing to a regulated donee in respect of any donation which is dealt with by the donee in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b) (as applied by paragraph 8);

(e) any money or other property, or any services or facilities, provided out of public funds for the personal security of a regulated donee who is an individual.

(2) For the avoidance of doubt no remuneration or allowances paid to the holder of a relevant elective office in his capacity as such shall be regarded as a donation.

(3) There shall also be disregarded—

(a) any donation which (in accordance with any enactment) falls to be included in a return as to election expenses in respect of a candidate or candidates at a particular election; and

(b) except for the purposes of paragraph 14, any donation whose value (as determined in accordance with paragraph 5) is not more than £200.

Value of donations

5 (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a) (other than money) shall be taken to be the market value of the property in question.

(2) Where, however, paragraph 2(1)(a) applies by virtue of paragraph 2(2) the value of the donation shall be taken to be the difference between—

(a) the value of the money, or the market value of the property, in question, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the donee.

(3) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(b) shall be taken to be the value of the money, or (as the case may be) the market value of the property, transferred as mentioned in paragraph 3(1); and accordingly any value in monetary terms of any benefit conferred on the person providing the sponsorship in question shall be disregarded.

(4) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(d) or (e) shall be taken to be the amount representing the difference between—

(a) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration that would have had to be provided by or on behalf of the donee in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities if—

(i) the loan had been made, or

(ii) the property, services or facilities had been provided,

on commercial terms, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration (if any) actually so provided by or on behalf of the donee

(5) Where a donation such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) confers an enduring benefit on the donee over a particular period, the value of the donation—

(a) shall be determined at the time when it is made, but

(b) shall be so determined by reference to the total benefit accruing to the donee over that period.

Part II Controls on donations

Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

6 (1) A controlled donation received by a regulated donee must not be accepted by the donee if—

(a) the person by whom the donation would be made is not, at the time of its receipt by the donee, a permissible donor, or

(b) the donee is (whether because the donation is given anonymously or by reason of any deception or concealment or otherwise) unable to ascertain the identity of that person.

(2) Where any person (“the principal donor”) causes an amount (“the principal donation”) to be received by a regulated donee by way of a donation—

(a) on behalf of himself and one or more other persons, or

(b) on behalf of two or more other persons,

then for the purposes of this Schedule each individual contribution by a person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of more than £200 shall be treated as if it were a separate donation received from that person.

(3) In relation to each such separate donation, the principal donor must ensure that, at the time when the principal donation is received by the regulated donee, the responsible person is given—

(a) (except in the case of a donation which the principal donor is treated as making) all such details in respect of the person treated as making the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of the donor of a recordable donation to a registered party; and

(b) (in any case) all such details in respect of the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 4 of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of a recordable donation to a registered party.

(4) Where—

(a) any person (“the agent”) causes an amount to be received by a regulated donee by way of a donation on behalf of another person (“the donor”), and

(b) the amount of the donation is more than £200,

the agent must ensure that, at the time when the donation is received by the regulated donee, the responsible person is given all such details in respect of the donor as are required by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to be given in respect of the donor of a recordable donation to a registered party.

(5) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to comply with sub-paragraph (3) or (4).

Payments etc. which are (or are not) to be treated as donations by permissible donors

7 (1) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.

(2) Any payment out of public funds received by a regulated donee which is a members association, for its use and benefit in connection with any of its political activities, shall be regarded as a controlled donation received by the association from a permissible donor.

(3) Any donation received by a regulated donee shall (if it would not otherwise fall to be so regarded) be regarded as a controlled donation received by the donee from a permissible donor if and to the extent that—

(a) the purpose of the donation is to meet qualifying costs incurred or to be incurred in connection with any visit—

(i) by the donee in connection with any of the donee’s political activities, or

(ii) in the case of a members association, by any member or officer of the association in connection with any of its political activities,

to a country or territory outside the United Kingdom, and

(b) the amount of the donation does not exceed a reasonable amount in respect of such costs.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “qualifying costs”, in relation to the donee or (as the case may be) any member or officer of the donee, means costs relating to that person in respect of—

(a) travelling between the United Kingdom and the country or territory in question; or

(b) travelling, accommodation or subsistence while within that country or territory.

(5) Any controlled donation received by a regulated donee which is an exempt trust donation shall be regarded as a controlled donation received by the donee from a permissible donor.

(6) But any controlled donation received by a regulated donee from a trustee of any property (in his capacity as such) which is not—

(a) an exempt trust donation, or

(b) a controlled donation transmitted by the trustee to the donee on behalf of beneficiaries under the trust who are—

(i) persons who at the time of its receipt by the donee are permissible donors falling within section 54(2), or

(ii) the members of an unincorporated association which at that time is a permissible donor,

shall be regarded as a controlled donation received by the donee from a person who is not a permissible donor.

Acceptance or return of donations

8 (1) Sections 56 to 60 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule in relation to a regulated donee and any controlled donation received by a regulated donee as they apply for the purposes of this Part in relation to a registered party and any donation received by a registered party.

(2) In its application in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), section 56(3) and (4) shall each have effect as if the reference to the treasurer of the party were construed—

(a) in relation to a regulated donee other than a members association, as a reference to the donee; and

(b) in relation to a members association, as a reference to the responsible person.

Evasion of restrictions on donations

9 Section 61 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule as if—

(a) any reference to donations were to controlled donations;

(b) any reference to a registered party were to a regulated donee; and

(c) any reference to the treasurer of such a party were construed as mentioned in paragraph 8(2)(a) or (b).

Part III Reporting of donations by regulated donees

Donation reports: donations from permissible donors

10 (1) A regulated donee shall—

(a) prepare a report under this paragraph in respect of each controlled donation accepted by the donee which is a recordable donation; and

(b) deliver the report to the Commission within the period of 30 days beginning with the date of acceptance of the donation.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph a controlled donation is a recordable donation—

(a) if it is a donation of more than £5,000 (where the donee is a members association) or £1,000 (in any other case); or

(b) if, when it is added to any other controlled donation or donations accepted by the donee—

(i) which have been made by the same permissible donor and in the same calendar year, and

(ii) in respect of which no report has been previously made under this paragraph,

the aggregate amount of the donations is more than £5,000 (where the donee is a members association) or £1,000 (in any other case).

(3) Each report prepared by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) must—

(a) give the name and address of the donee; and

(b) if he is the holder of a relevant elective office, specify the office in question.

(4) Each such report must also give—

(a) such information as is required to be given, in the case of a report prepared by virtue of section 62 by virtue of paragraphs 2 and 4 of Schedule 6;

(b) the date when the donation was accepted by the donee, and

(c) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(5) In the application of paragraphs 2 and 4 of Schedule 6 in accordance with sub-paragraph (4) above—

(a) any reference to a recordable donation within the meaning of that Schedule shall be construed as a reference to a recordable donation within the meaning of this paragraph;

(b) any reference to section 55(2) or to section 55(3) shall be construed as a reference to paragraph 7(2) above or to paragraph 7(3) above respectively; and

(c) any reference to section 53 shall be construed as a reference to paragraph 5 above.

(6) In the case of a donation to which paragraph 7(2) applies, sub-paragraph (2)(b) above shall have effect as if for “by the same permissible donor” there were substituted “in circumstances falling within paragraph 7(2)”.

(7) In the case of a donation to which paragraph 7(3) applies—

(a) sub-paragraph (2)(b) above shall have effect as if for “by the same permissible donor” there were substituted “in circumstances falling within paragraph 7(3) by the same donor”; and

(b) any report prepared by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above in respect of the donation must give—

(i) the date or dates on or between which the visit to which the donation relates took place, and

(ii) the destination and purpose of the visit.

Donation reports: donations from impermissible or unidentifiable donors

11 (1) A regulated donee shall—

(a) prepare a report under this paragraph in respect of each controlled donation received by the donee and falling within paragraph 6(1)(a) or (b); and

(b) deliver the report to the Commission within the period of 30 days beginning with the date when the donation was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b).

(2) Each such report must—

(a) give the name and address of the donee; and

(b) if he is the holder of a relevant elective office, specify the office in question.

(3) Each such report in respect of a donation falling within paragraph 6(1)(a) must also give—

(a) the name and address of the donor;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(c) the date when the donation was received and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(a); and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(4) Each such report in respect of a donation falling within paragraph 6(1)(b) must also give—

(a) details of the manner in which it was made;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(b); and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(5) In this paragraph any reference to any provision of section 56 is a reference to that provision as applied by paragraph 8.

Offence of failing to deliver donation report

12 (1) Where a report required to be delivered to the Commission under paragraph 10(1) or 11(1) is not delivered by the end of the period of 30 days mentioned in that provision—

(a) the regulated donee, or

(b) (if a members association) the responsible person,

is guilty of an offence.

(2) If such a report is delivered to the Commission which does not comply with any requirements of paragraph 10 or 11 as regards the information to be given in such a report—

(a) the regulated donee, or

(b) (if a members association) the responsible person,

is guilty of an offence.

(3) Where a person is charged with an offence under this paragraph, it shall be a defence to prove that he took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that any requirements—

(a) as regards the preparation and delivery of a report in respect of the donation in question, or

(b) as regards the information to be given in the report in question,

as the case may be, were complied with in relation to that donation or report.

(4) Where the court is satisfied, on an application made by the Commission, that any failure to comply with any such requirements in relation to any donation to the regulated donee was attributable to an intention on the part of any person to conceal the existence or true amount of the donation, the court may order the forfeiture by the donee of an amount equal to the value of the donation.

(5) The following provisions, namely—

(a) subsections (3) to (5) of section 58, and

(b) sections 59 and 60,

shall apply for the purposes, or in connection with the operation, of sub-paragraph (4) in relation to a regulated donee as they apply for the purposes, or in connection with the operation, of section 58 in relation to a registered party.

Declaration in donation report

13 (1) Each report under paragraph 10 or 11 must, when delivered to the Commission, be accompanied by a declaration made by—

(a) the regulated donee, or

(b) (if a members association) the responsible person,

which complies with sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

(2) In the case of a report under paragraph 10, the declaration must state that, to the best of the declarant’s knowledge and belief, any donation recorded in the report as having been accepted by the donee was from a permissible donor.

(3) In the case of a report under paragraph 11, the declaration must state that, to the best of the declarant’s knowledge and belief, the donation recorded in the report as having been received by the donee, or a payment of an equivalent amount, has been returned to the donor or otherwise dealt with in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II of Part IV of this Act.

(4) A person commits an offence if he knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under this paragraph.

Part IV Reporting of donations by donors

14 (1) This paragraph applies where a person (“the donor”) has during the course of a calendar year made small donations to a regulated donee whose aggregate value is more than £5,000 (where the donee is a members association) or £1,000 (in any other case).

(2) The donor must make a report to the Commission in respect of the donations which gives the following details—

(a) the aggregate value of the donations and the year in which they were made;

(b) the name of the regulated donee to whom they were made; and

(c) the full name and address of the donor (if an individual) and (in any other case) the details required by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 in respect of the donor of a recordable donation.

(3) The report must be delivered to the Commission by 31st January in the year following that in which the donations were made.

(4) The report must, when delivered to the Commission, be accompanied by a declaration by the donor stating—

(a) that small donations whose aggregate value was that specified in the report were made by him to the specified regulated donee during the specified year, and

(b) that no other small donations were made by him to that regulated donee during that year.

(5) A person commits an offence if—

(a) he delivers a report under this paragraph which does not comply with sub-paragraph (2);

(b) he fails to deliver such a report in accordance with sub-paragraph (3) or such a report, when delivered by him, is not accompanied by a declaration under sub-paragraph (4); or

(c) he knowingly or recklessly makes a false declaration under that sub-paragraph.

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) “small donation” means a controlled donation whose value is not more than £200; and

(b) “specified” means specified in the report in question.

Part V Register of donations

Register of recordable donations

15 (1) Section 69 shall apply in relation to donations reported to the Commission under this Schedule (“relevant donations”) as it applies to donations reported to them under Chapter III of Part IV of this Act.

(2) But in its application in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), section 69 shall have effect with the modifications set out in sub-paragraph (3).

(3) Those modifications are as follows—

(a) subsection (2) shall have effect in relation to a relevant donation as if (instead of requiring the register to contain the details mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection) it required the register to contain such details as have been given in relation to the donation in pursuance of paragraph 10(3), 10(4), 11(2), 11(3) or 11(4); and

(b) subsection (3) shall be read as referring to paragraph 14 and sub-paragraph (2) of that paragraph instead of to section 68 and subsection (2) of that section.

Part VI Power to make special provision

Exemption from disclosure

16 (1) The power conferred by section 70(1)(b) shall include power to make provision for disapplying any specified provisions of Part IV of this Act, for such period as is specified, in relation to regulated donees who are—

(a) individuals ordinarily resident in Northern Ireland; or

(b) members associations wholly or mainly consisting of members of a Northern Ireland party.

(2) Each order under section 70(1)(b) (as applied by sub-paragraph (1)) shall be so made as to—

(a) apply to every person or members association falling within sub-paragraph (1)(a) or (b), and

(b) make the same provision with respect to every such person or members association.

(3) In this paragraph “specified” and “Northern Ireland party” have the same meaning as in section 70.

Section 72.

SCHEDULE 8 Campaign expenditure: qualifying expenses

Part I Qualifying expenses

Expenses qualifying where incurred for election purposes

1 For the purposes of section 72(2) the expenses falling within this Part of this Schedule are expenses incurred in respect of any of the matters set out in the following list.

List of matters

(1)

Party political broadcasts.

Expenses in respect of such broadcasts include agency fees, design costs and other costs in connection with preparing or producing such broadcasts.

(2)

Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used).

Expenses in respect of such advertising include agency fees, design costs and other costs in connection with preparing, producing, distributing or otherwise disseminating such advertising or anything incorporating such advertising and intended to be distributed for the purpose of disseminating it.

(3)

Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by name or intended for delivery to households within any particular area or areas).

Expenses in respect of such material include design costs and other costs in connection with preparing, producing or distributing such material (including the cost of postage).

(4)

Any manifesto or other document setting out the party’s policies.

Expenses in respect of such a document include design costs and other costs in connection with preparing or producing or distributing or otherwise disseminating any such document.

(5)

Market research or canvassing conducted for the purpose of ascertaining polling intentions.

(6)

The provision of any services or facilities in connection with press conferences or other dealings with the media.

(7)

Transport (by any means) of persons to any place or places with a view to obtaining publicity in connection with an election campaign.

Expenses in respect of the transport of such persons include the costs of hiring a particular means of transport for the whole or part of the period during which the election campaign is being conducted.

(8)

Rallies and other events, including public meetings (but not annual or other party conferences) organised so as to obtain publicity in connection with an election campaign or for other purposes connected with an election campaign.

Expenses in respect of such events include costs incurred in connection with the attendance of persons at such events, the hire of premises for the purposes of such events or the provision of goods, services or facilities at them.

Exclusions

2 Nothing in paragraph 1 shall be taken as extending to—

(a) any expenses in respect of newsletters or similar publications issued by or on behalf of the party with a view to giving electors in a particular electoral area information about the opinions or activities of, or other personal information relating to, their elected representatives or existing or prospective candidates;

(b) any expenses incurred in respect of unsolicited material addressed to party members;

(c) any expenses in respect of any property, services or facilities so far as those expenses fall to be met out of public funds;

(d) any expenses incurred in respect of the remuneration or allowances payable to any member of the staff (whether permanent or otherwise) of the party; or

(e) any expenses incurred in respect of an individual by way of travelling expenses (by any means of transport) or in providing for his accommodation or other personal needs to the extent that the expenses are paid by the individual from his own resources and are not reimbursed to him.

Part II Supplemental

Guidance by Commission

3 (1) The Commission may prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice giving guidance as to the kinds of expenses which do, or do not, fall within Part I of this Schedule.

(2) Once the Commission have prepared a draft code under this paragraph, they shall submit it to the Secretary of State for his approval.

(3) The Secretary of State may approve a draft code either without modification or with such modifications as he may determine.

(4) Once the Secretary of State has approved a draft code he shall lay a copy of the draft, whether—

(a) in its original form, or

(b) in a form which incorporates any modifications determined under sub-paragraph (3),

before each House of Parliament.

(5) If the draft incorporates any such modifications, the Secretary of State shall at the same time lay before each House a statement of his reasons for making them.

(6) If, within the 40-day period, either House resolves not to approve the draft, the Secretary of State shall take no further steps in relation to the draft code.

(7) If no such resolution is made within the 40-day period—

(a) the Secretary of State shall issue the code in the form of the draft laid before Parliament, and

(b) the code shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order appoint;

and the Commission shall arrange for it to be published in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(8) Sub-paragraph (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before Parliament.

(9) In this paragraph “40-day period”, in relation to a draft code, means—

(a) if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and

(b) in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House,

no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

(10) In this paragraph references to a draft code include a draft revised code.

Power to amend Part I

4 (1) The Secretary of State may by order make such amendments of Part I of this Schedule as he considers appropriate.

(2) The Secretary of State may make such an order either—

(a) where the order gives effect to a recommendation of the Commission; or

(b) after consultation with the Commission.

Section 79.

SCHEDULE 9 Limits on campaign expenditure

Part I Introductory

Interpretation

1 (1) In this Schedule—

(a) “an ordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament” means an election held under section 2 of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998;

(b) “an extraordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament” means an election held under section 3 of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998;

(c) “an ordinary election to the Welsh Assembly” means an election held under section 3 of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998;

(d) “an ordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly” means an election held under section 31 of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998; and

(e) “an extraordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly” means an election held under section 32 of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule a registered party—

(a) contests a constituency if any candidate stands for election for that constituency in the name of the party; and

(b) contests any region if the party is included in the statement of parties and candidates nominated for that region.

(3) For the purposes of this Schedule a parliamentary general election is pending during the period—

(a) beginning with the date on which Her Majesty’s intention to dissolve Parliament is announced in connection with a forthcoming parliamentary general election, and

(b) ending with the date of the poll for that election.

Attribution of expenditure to different parts of the United Kingdom

2 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule—

(a) campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a party registered in the Great Britain register shall (subject to the following provisions of this paragraph) be attributed to each of England, Scotland and Wales in proportion to the number of parliamentary constituencies for the time being situated in that part of Great Britain; and

(b) campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a party registered in the Northern Ireland register shall be attributed solely to Northern Ireland.

(2) Campaign expenditure whose effects are wholly or substantially confined to any particular parts or part of Great Britain—

(a) shall be attributed to those parts in proportion to the number of parliamentary constituencies for the time being situated in those parts, or

(b) shall be attributed solely to that part,

as the case may be.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) the effects of campaign expenditure are wholly or substantially confined to any particular parts or part of Great Britain if they have no significant effects in any other part or parts (so that, for example, expenditure on an advertisement in a newspaper circulating in Wales is to be attributed solely to Wales if the newspaper does not circulate to any significant extent in any other part of Great Britain).

(4) References in this Schedule to campaign expenditure “in” a particular part of the United Kingdom are accordingly to campaign expenditure which is to be attributed to that part in accordance with this paragraph.

Part II General limits

Parliamentary general elections

3 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies at a parliamentary general election.

(2) Where a registered party contests one or more constituencies in England, Scotland or Wales, the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in that part of Great Britain is—

(a) £30,000 multiplied by the number of constituencies contested by the party in that part of Great Britain; or

(b) if greater, the appropriate amount specified in sub-paragraph (3).

(3) The appropriate amount is—

(a) in relation to England, £810,000;

(b) in relation to Scotland, £120,000; and

(c) in relation to Wales, £60,000.

(4) Where a registered party contests one or more constituencies in Northern Ireland, the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in Northern Ireland is £30,000 multiplied by the number of constituencies contested by the party there.

(5) Sub-paragraph (6) applies to a registered party in a case where at the election a candidate stands for election in any constituency in the name of that party and one or more other registered parties.

(6) In such a case, the amount applying to the party in respect of the constituency under sub-paragraph (2)(a) or (4) (as the case may be) shall, instead of being the amount specified in that provision, be that amount divided by the number of registered parties in whose name the candidate stands for election as mentioned in sub-paragraph (5).

(7) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is—

(a) (subject to paragraph (b)) the period of 365 days ending with the date of the poll for the election;

(b) where the election (“the election in question”) follows another parliamentary general election held less than 365 days previously, the period—

(i) beginning with the day after the date of the poll for the earlier election, and

(ii) ending with the date of the poll for the election in question.

General elections to European Parliament

4 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which stands for election or (as the case may be) in whose name candidates stand for election at a general election to the European Parliament.

(2) Where at the election a registered party stands for election in only one electoral region in England, the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in England is £45,000 multiplied by the number of MEPs to be returned for that region at the election.

(3) Where at the election a registered party stands for election in two or more electoral regions in England, the limit applying to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in England is £45,000 multiplied by the total number of MEPs to be returned for those regions, taken together.

(4) Where at the election—

(a) a registered party stands for election in Scotland or Wales, or

(b) one or more candidates stand for election in Northern Ireland in the name of a registered party,

the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period in that part of the United Kingdom is £45,000 multiplied by the number of MEPs to be returned for that part of the United Kingdom at the election.

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is the period of four months ending with the date of the poll for the election.

General elections to Scottish Parliament

5 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies or regions at an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament.

(2) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in the relevant period in Scotland is—

(a) £12,000 for each constituency contested by the party; plus

(b) £80,000 for each region contested by the party.

(3) In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 2(2) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998; or

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 2(5) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 2(5) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of the Act.

(5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Presiding Officer proposes a day for the poll for the election under section 3(1) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Ordinary elections to Welsh Assembly

6 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies or regions at an ordinary election to the Welsh Assembly.

(2) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in the relevant period in Wales is—

(a) £10,000 for each constituency contested by the party; plus

(b) £40,000 for each region contested by the party.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph “the relevant period” is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” is the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 3(2) of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998;

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 3(3) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of the Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 3(3) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of that Act.

General elections to Northern Ireland Assembly

7 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party which contests one or more constituencies at an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in the relevant period in Northern Ireland is £17,000 for each constituency contested by the party.

(3) In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 31(1) and (2) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998;

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 31(3) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 31(3) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act.

(5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Secretary of State proposes a date for the poll for the election under section 32(1) or (3) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Part III Limits applying in special circumstances

Combination of elections to European Parliament and to devolved legislature

8 (1) This paragraph applies where (apart from this paragraph)—

(a) separate limits would apply as follows to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be), namely—

(i) under paragraph 4 in relation to a general election to the European Parliament; and

(ii) under paragraph 5, 6 or 7 in relation to an election within that paragraph; and

(b) any part of the period which would be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 4 falls within any part of the period which would be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 5, 6 or 7.

(2) In such a case—

(a) neither paragraph 4 nor paragraph 5, 6 or 7 (as the case may be) shall apply, in connection with either of those elections, to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the party in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be); and

(b) the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply to it instead.

(3) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the relevant period for the purposes of this paragraph in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 4 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph; and

(b) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 5, 6 or 7 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph “the relevant period” is the period which—

(a) begins with whichever is the earlier of the dates on which the periods mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) begin, and

(b) ends with whichever is the later of the dates on which those periods end.

Combined limits where parliamentary election pending

9 (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) separate limits would (apart from this paragraph) apply as follows to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be), namely—

(i) under paragraph 3 in relation to a parliamentary general election; and

(ii) under paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 in relation to an election or elections within that paragraph; and

(b) the parliamentary general election is pending during any part of the period in relation to which the limit imposed by paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 would (apart from this paragraph) apply.

(2) In such a case—

(a) neither paragraph 3, nor paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be) shall apply to the expenditure mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a); and

(b) the limit or limits imposed by this paragraph shall apply to it instead.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraphs (5) to (7), the limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the registered party in the relevant period for the purposes of this sub-paragraph in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph; and

(b) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) “the relevant period” is—

(a) where the parliamentary general election takes place at the same time as, or later than—

(i) the election in relation to which paragraph 4, 5, 6 or 7 would otherwise apply, or

(ii) (as the case may be) the later of the elections in relation to which paragraph 8 would otherwise apply,

the period which for the purposes of paragraph 3 is the relevant period in relation to the parliamentary general election;

(b) where the parliamentary general election takes place earlier than the election mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii), the period which—

(i) begins at the beginning of the period mentioned in paragraph (a), and

(ii) ends with the date of the poll for the later, or (where paragraph 8 would otherwise apply) the last, of the elections.

(5) Where sub-paragraph (1)(a)(i) is applicable in the case of each of two parliamentary general elections which are pending during different parts of any such period as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(b), the limits applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the registered party in the relevant periods in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) are as follows—

(a) in the case of expenditure incurred in the first relevant period, the limit is the aggregate of—

(i) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply, in connection with the first of the parliamentary general elections to take place, to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph, and

(ii) the limit mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b) above; and

(b) in the case of expenditure incurred in the second relevant period, the limit is the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply, in connection with the second parliamentary general election to take place, to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5) “the first relevant period” is the period which—

(a) begins at the beginning of the period which would, apart from this paragraph, apply for the purposes of paragraph 3 to the first of the parliamentary general elections to take place; and

(b) ends with the date on which Her Majesty’s intention to dissolve Parliament is announced in connection with the second of the parliamentary general elections to take place.

(7) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5) “the second relevant period” is the period which—

(a) begins on the day after the date mentioned in sub-paragraph (6)(b) above; and

(b) ends with whichever is the later of the following, namely—

(i) the date of the poll for the second parliamentary general election to take place; and

(ii) the date of the poll for the election in relation to which paragraph 4, 5, 6 or 7 would otherwise apply or, as the case may be, the date of the poll for the later of the elections in relation to which paragraph 8 would otherwise apply.

Combination of limit under paragraph 9 and other limit

10 (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a limit under paragraph 9 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) in relation to a period that would either be—

(i) a relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 9(3), or

(ii) a first relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 9(5); and

(b) another limit under paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 applies to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the party in that part of the United Kingdom in relation to a period (“the other campaign period”) which is not a period during which the parliamentary general election is pending but which either—

(i) falls wholly within, or

(ii) ends at any time falling within,

the period mentioned in paragraph (a).

(2) In such a case—

(a) the limit imposed by paragraph 9 shall not apply in relation to the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a); and

(b) instead the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply in relation to the period which is the combined period for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party during the combined period in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 9 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a); and

(b) the limit applying, by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be), to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph “the combined period” is the period which begins with whichever is the earlier of the following, namely—

(a) the beginning of the period which is the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be), and

(b) the beginning of the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a),

and ends at the end of the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a).

(5) Nothing in this paragraph affects the application of any limit imposed by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 in relation to any period which is a relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

Combination of parliamentary general election and other election, or elections, falling within paragraphs 4 to 8

11 (1) This paragraph applies where—

(a) a limit under paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a registered party in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be);

(b) another limit under paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 applies to campaign expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the party in that part of the United Kingdom in relation to any period (“the other campaign period”) which either—

(i) falls wholly within, or

(ii) ends at any time falling within,

the period which would (apart from this paragraph) be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 3 in relation to the parliamentary general election; and

(c) paragraph 9 does not apply in connection with that expenditure.

(2) In such a case—

(a) the limit imposed by paragraph 3 shall not apply in relation to the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph, and

(b) instead the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply in relation to the period which is the combined period for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) The limit applying to campaign expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the party in the combined period in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, as the case may be, is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph; and

(b) the limit applying by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be) to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) Where two or more periods (“the other campaign periods”) which are relevant periods for the purposes of any of paragraphs 4, 5, 7 or 8—

(a) fall wholly within, or

(b) end at any time falling within,

the period which would (apart from this paragraph) be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 3 in relation to the parliamentary general election, sub-paragraph (3)(b) shall operate in relation to each of the limits applying in relation to those periods so as to produce two or more amounts to be added to the amount referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(a).

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph “the combined period” is the period which begins with whichever is the earlier of the following, namely—

(a) the beginning of—

(i) the period which is the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be), or

(ii) where sub-paragraph (4) applies, whichever of the relevant periods for the purposes of any of paragraphs 4, 5, 7 or 8 is the first to begin, and

(b) the beginning of the period which would (apart from this paragraph) be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 3 in relation to the parliamentary general election,

and ends with the date of the poll for the parliamentary general election.

(6) Nothing in this paragraph affects the application of any limit imposed by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 in relation to any period which is a relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

Section 94.

SCHEDULE 10 Limits on controlled expenditure

Part I Introductory

Interpretation

1 (1) In this Schedule—

(a) “an ordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament” means an election held under section 2 of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998;

(b) “an extraordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament” means an election held under section 3 of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998;

(c) “an ordinary election to the Welsh Assembly” means an election held under section 3 of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998;

(d) “an ordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly” means an election held under section 31 of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998; and

(e) “an extraordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly” means an election held under section 32 of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule a parliamentary general election is pending during the period—

(a) beginning with the date on which Her Majesty’s intention to dissolve Parliament is announced in connection with a forthcoming parliamentary general election, and

(b) ending with the date of the poll for that election.

Attribution of expenditure to different parts of the United Kingdom

2 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of any recognised third party shall (subject to the following provisions of this paragraph) be attributed to each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in proportion to the number of parliamentary constituencies for the time being situated in that part of the United Kingdom.

(2) Controlled expenditure whose effects are wholly or substantially confined to any particular parts or part of the United Kingdom—

(a) shall be attributed to those parts in proportion to the number of parliamentary constituencies for the time being situated in those parts, or

(b) shall be attributed solely to that part,

as the case may be.

(3) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (2) the effects of controlled expenditure are wholly or substantially confined to any particular parts or part of the United Kingdom if they have no significant effects in any other part or parts (so that, for example, expenditure on an advertisement in a newspaper circulating in Wales is to be attributed solely to Wales if the newspaper does not circulate to any significant extent in any other part of the United Kingdom).

(4) References in this Schedule to controlled expenditure “in” a particular part of the United Kingdom are accordingly to controlled expenditure which is to be attributed to that part in accordance with this paragraph.

Part II General limits

Parliamentary general elections

3 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a parliamentary general election.

(2) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is—

(a) in relation to England, £793,500;

(b) in relation to Scotland, £108,000;

(c) in relation to Wales, £60,000; and

(d) in relation to Northern Ireland, £27,000.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is—

(a) (subject to paragraph (b)) the period of 365 days ending with the date of the poll for the election;

(b) where the election (“the election in question”) follows another parliamentary general election held less than 365 days previously, the period—

(i) beginning with the day after the date of the poll for the earlier election, and

(ii) ending with the date of the poll for the election in question.

General elections to European Parliament

4 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a general election to the European Parliament.

(2) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in each of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland is—

(a) in relation to England, £159,750;

(b) in relation to Scotland, £18,000;

(c) in relation to Wales, £11,259; and

(d) in relation to Northern Ireland, £6,750.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant period is the period of four months ending with the date of the poll for the election.

General elections to Scottish Parliament

5 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament.

(2) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in Scotland is £75,800.

(3) In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 2(2) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998; or

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 2(5) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 2(5) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 2(2) of the Act.

(5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Presiding Officer proposes a day for the poll for the election under section 3(1) of the [1998 c. 46.] Scotland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Ordinary elections to Welsh Assembly

6 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary election to the Welsh Assembly.

(2) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in Wales is £30,000.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph “the relevant period” is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” is the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 3(2) of the [1998 c. 38.] Government of Wales Act 1998;

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 3(3) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of the Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 3(3) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 3(2) of that Act.

General elections to Northern Ireland Assembly

7 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to an ordinary or extraordinary general election to the Northern Ireland Assembly.

(2) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period in Northern Ireland is £15,300.

(3) In the case of an ordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the appropriate date (as defined by sub-paragraph (4)) and ending with the date of the poll.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date of the poll where—

(a) the date of the poll is that determined by section 31(1) and (2) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998; or

(b) no less than five months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is brought forward under section 31(3) of that Act; or

(c) no less than four months before the day on which the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act, the date of the poll is postponed under section 31(3) of that Act;

but where the date of the poll is brought forward or postponed otherwise than as mentioned in paragraph (b) or (c) above “the appropriate date” means the date which falls four months before the date when the poll would have taken place under section 31(1) and (2) of that Act.

(5) In the case of an extraordinary general election, “the relevant period” for the purposes of this paragraph is the period beginning with the date when the Secretary of State proposes a date for the poll for the election under section 32(1) or (3) of the [1998 c. 47.] Northern Ireland Act 1998 and ending with the date of the poll for the election.

Part III Limits applying in special circumstances

Combination of elections to European Parliament and to devolved legislature

8 (1) This paragraph imposes, in the circumstances mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), a limit in relation to—

(a) a general election to the European Parliament; and

(b) an election to which paragraph 5, 6 or 7 would (apart from this paragraph) apply.

(2) Where any part of the period which is the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 4 in relation to a general election to the European Parliament falls within any period which is the relevant period for the purposes of any of paragraphs 5 to 7 in relation to an election to the legislature mentioned in that paragraph—

(a) neither paragraph 4 nor paragraph 5, 6 or 7 (as the case may be) shall apply, in connection with either of those elections, to controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the part of the United Kingdom mentioned in paragraph 5(2), 6(2) or 7(2) (as the case may be); and

(b) the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply to it instead.

(3) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the relevant period for the purposes of this paragraph in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 4 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph; and

(b) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 5, 6 or 7 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph “the relevant period” is the period which—

(a) begins with whichever is the earlier of the dates on which the periods mentioned in sub-paragraph (2) begin, and

(b) ends with whichever is the later of the dates on which those periods end.

Combined limits where parliamentary election pending

9 (1) This paragraph imposes—

(a) in the circumstances mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), a limit in relation to—

(i) such a pending parliamentary general election as is mentioned in that sub-paragraph, and

(ii) an election, or elections, in relation to which the limit imposed by any of paragraphs 4 to 8 would otherwise apply as mentioned in that sub-paragraph; and

(b) in the circumstances mentioned in sub-paragraph (5), limits in relation to—

(i) two such pending parliamentary elections as are mentioned in that sub-paragraph, and

(ii) an election, or elections, in relation to which the limit imposed by any of paragraphs 4 to 8 would otherwise apply as mentioned in sub-paragraph (2).

(2) Where a parliamentary general election is pending during any part of the period in relation to which a limit imposed by any of paragraphs 4 to 8 would otherwise apply to controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in a particular part of the United Kingdom—

(a) neither that paragraph, nor paragraph 3, shall apply in relation to such expenditure; and

(b) the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply to it instead.

(3) Subject to sub-paragraphs (5) to (7), the limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the recognised third party in the relevant period for the purposes of this sub-paragraph in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph; and

(b) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (3) “the relevant period” is—

(a) where the parliamentary general election takes place at the same time as, or later than—

(i) the election in relation to which paragraph 4, 5, 6 or 7 would otherwise apply, or

(ii) (as the case may be) the later of the elections in relation to which paragraph 8 would otherwise apply,

the period which for the purposes of paragraph 3 is the relevant period in relation to the parliamentary general election;

(b) where the parliamentary general election takes place earlier than the election mentioned in paragraph (a)(i) or (ii), the period which—

(i) begins at the beginning of the period mentioned in paragraph (a), and

(ii) ends with the date of the poll for the later, or (where paragraph 8 would otherwise apply) the last, of the elections.

(5) Where two parliamentary general elections are pending during different parts of any such period as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (2), the limits applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of the recognised third party in the relevant periods in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) are as follows—

(a) in the case of expenditure incurred in the first relevant period, the limit is the aggregate of—

(i) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply, in connection with the first of the parliamentary general elections to take place, to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph, and

(ii) the limit mentioned in sub-paragraph (3)(b) above; and

(b) in the case of expenditure incurred in the second relevant period, the limit is the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply, in connection with the second parliamentary general election to take place, to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5) “the first relevant period” is the period which—

(a) begins at the beginning of the period which would, apart from this paragraph, apply for the purposes of paragraph 3 to the first of the parliamentary general elections to take place; and

(b) ends with the date on which Her Majesty’s intention to dissolve Parliament is announced in connection with the second of the parliamentary general elections to take place.

(7) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (5) “the second relevant period” is the period which—

(a) begins on the day after the date mentioned in sub-paragraph (6)(b) above; and

(b) ends with whichever is the later of the following, namely—

(i) the date of the poll for the second parliamentary general election to take place; and

(ii) the date of the poll for the election in relation to which paragraph 4, 5, 6 or 7 would otherwise apply or, as the case may be, the date of the poll for the later of the elections in relation to which paragraph 8 would otherwise apply.

Combination of limit under paragraph 9 and other limit

10 (1) This paragraph imposes a limit where—

(a) paragraph 9 would (apart from this paragraph) impose a limit on controlled expenditure in relation to a period that would either be—

(i) a relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 9(3), or

(ii) a first relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 9(5); and

(b) any period (“the other controlled period”) which is the relevant period for the purposes of any of paragraphs 4 to 8, but is not a period during which the parliamentary general election is pending, either—

(i) falls wholly within, or

(ii) ends at any time falling within,

the period mentioned in paragraph (a).

(2) In such a case—

(a) the limit imposed by paragraph 9 shall not apply in relation to the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a); and

(b) instead the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply in relation to the period which is the combined period for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party during the combined period in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland (as the case may be) is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 9 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a); and

(b) the limit applying, by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be), to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) For the purposes of this paragraph “the combined period” is the period which begins with whichever is the earlier of the following, namely—

(a) the beginning of the period which is the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be), and

(b) the beginning of the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a),

and ends at the end of the period mentioned in sub-paragraph (1)(a).

(5) Nothing in this paragraph affects the application of any limit imposed by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 in relation to any period which is a relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.Combination of parliamentary general election and other election, or elections, falling within paragraphs 4 to 8

11 (1) This paragraph imposes a limit where—

(a) any period (“the other controlled period”) which is the relevant period for the purposes of any of paragraphs 4 to 8 either—

(i) falls wholly within, or

(ii) ends at any time falling within,

the period which would (apart from this paragraph) be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 3 in relation to a parliamentary general election; and

(b) paragraph 9 does not apply in connection with those elections.

(2) In such a case—

(a) the limit imposed by paragraph 3 shall not apply in relation to the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph, and

(b) instead the limit imposed by this paragraph shall apply in relation to the period which is the combined period for the purposes of this paragraph.

(3) The limit applying to controlled expenditure which is incurred by or on behalf of a recognised third party in the combined period in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, as the case may be, is the aggregate of—

(a) the limit which by virtue of paragraph 3 would (apart from this paragraph) apply to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph; and

(b) the limit applying by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be) to such expenditure incurred in that part of the United Kingdom during the relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

(4) Where two or more periods (“the other controlled periods”) which are relevant periods for the purposes of any of paragraphs 4, 5, 7 or 8—

(a) fall wholly within, or

(b) end at any time falling within,

the period which would (apart from this paragraph) be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 3 in relation to the parliamentary general election, sub-paragraph (3)(b) shall operate in relation to each of the limits applying in relation to those periods so as to produce two or more amounts to be added to the amount referred to in sub-paragraph (3)(a).

(5) For the purposes of this paragraph “the combined period” is the period which begins with whichever is the earlier of the following, namely—

(a) the beginning of—

(i) the period which is the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 (as the case may be), or

(ii) where sub-paragraph (4) applies, whichever of the relevant periods for the purposes of paragraph 4, 5, 7 or 8 is the first to begin, and

(b) the beginning of the period which would (apart from this paragraph) be the relevant period for the purposes of paragraph 3 in relation to the parliamentary general election,

and ends with the date of the poll for the parliamentary general election.

(6) Nothing in this paragraph affects the application of any limit imposed by virtue of paragraph 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 in relation to any period which is a relevant period for the purposes of that paragraph.

Section 95.

SCHEDULE 11 Control of donations to recognised third parties

Part I Introductory

Operation and interpretation of Schedule

1 (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to recognised third parties which either are not registered parties or are minor parties.

(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.

(3) In accordance with sub-paragraph (1), “recognised third party” does not include a recognised third party which is a registered party other than a minor party.

(4) “Relevant donation”, in relation to a recognised third party, means a donation to the recognised third party for the purpose of meeting controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of that third party.

(5) “Donation” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4.

(6) References to a permissible donor falling within section 54(2) do not include a registered party.

Donations: general rules

2 (1) “Donation”, in relation to a recognised third party, means (subject to paragraph 4)—

(a) any gift to the recognised third party of money or other property;

(b) any sponsorship provided in relation to the recognised third party (as defined by paragraph 3);

(c) any money spent (otherwise than by or on behalf of the recognised third party) in paying any controlled expenditure incurred by or on behalf of the recognised third party;

(d) any money lent to the recognised third party otherwise than on commercial terms;

(e) the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the recognised third party (including the services of any person); and

(f) in the case of a recognised third party, other than an individual, any subscription or other fee paid for affiliation to, or membership of, the third party.

(2) Where—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to a recognised third party pursuant to any transaction or arrangement involving the provision by or on behalf of the recognised third party of any property, services or facilities or other consideration of monetary value, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration so provided by or on behalf of the recognised third party is less than the value of the money or (as the case may be) the market value of the property transferred,

the transfer of the money or property shall (subject to sub-paragraph (4)) constitute a gift to the recognised third party for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a).

(3) In determining—

(a) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) whether any money lent to a recognised third party is so lent otherwise than on commercial terms, or

(b) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(e) whether any property, services or facilities provided for the use or benefit of a recognised third party is or are so provided otherwise than on such terms,

regard shall be had to the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the recognised third party in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities.

(4) Where (apart from this sub-paragraph) anything would be a donation both by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(b) and by virtue of any other provision of this paragraph, sub-paragraph (1)(b) (together with paragraph 3) shall apply in relation to it to the exclusion of the other provision of this paragraph.

(5) Anything given or transferred to any officer, member, trustee or agent of a recognised third party in his capacity as such (and not for his own use or benefit) is to be regarded as given or transferred to the recognised third party (and references to donations received by a recognised third party accordingly include donations so given or transferred).

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) any reference to anything being given or transferred to a recognised third party includes a reference to its being given or transferred either directly or indirectly through any third person;

(b) “gift” includes bequest.

Sponsorship

3 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided in relation to a recognised third party if—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to the recognised third party or to any person for the benefit of the recognised third party, and

(b) the purpose (or one of the purposes) of the transfer is (or must, having regard to all the circumstances, reasonably be assumed to be)—

(i) to help the recognised third party with meeting, or to meet, to any extent any defined expenses incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the recognised third party, or

(ii) to secure that to any extent any such expenses are not so incurred.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “defined expenses” means expenses in connection with—

(a) any conference, meeting or other event organised by or on behalf of the recognised third party,

(b) the preparation, production or dissemination of any publication by or on behalf of the recognised third party, or

(c) any study or research organised by or on behalf of the recognised third party.

(3) The following do not, however, constitute sponsorship by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) the making of any payment in respect of—

(i) any charge for admission to any conference, meeting or other event, or

(ii) the purchase price of, or any other charge for access to, any publication;

(b) the making of any payment in respect of the inclusion of an advertisement in any publication where the payment is made at the commercial rate payable for the inclusion of such an advertisement in any such publication.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order made on the recommendation of the Commission amend sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

(5) In this paragraph “publication” means a publication made available in whatever form and by whatever means (whether or not to the public at large or any section of the public).

Payments etc not to be regarded as donations

4 (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a donation—

(a) the provision by an individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily in his own time and free of charge;

(b) any interest accruing to a recognised third party in respect of any donation which is dealt with by the responsible person in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b) (as applied by paragraph 7).

(2) Any donation whose value (as determined in accordance with paragraph 5) is not more than £200 shall be disregarded.

Value of donations

5 (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a) (other than money) shall be taken to be the market value of the property in question.

(2) Where, however, paragraph 2(1)(a) applies by virtue of paragraph 2(2), the value of the donation shall be taken to be the difference between—

(a) the value of the money, or the market value of the property, in question, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the recognised third party.

(3) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(b) shall be taken to be the value of the money, or (as the case may be) the market value of the property, transferred as mentioned in paragraph 3(1); and accordingly any value in monetary terms of any benefit conferred on the person providing the sponsorship in question shall be disregarded.

(4) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(d) or (e) shall be taken to be the amount representing the difference between—

(a) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration that would have had to be provided by or on behalf of the recognised third party in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities if—

(i) the loan had been made, or

(ii) the property, services or facilities had been provided,

on commercial terms, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration (if any) actually so provided by or on behalf of the recognised third party.

(5) Where a donation such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) confers an enduring benefit on the donee over a particular period, the value of the donation—

(a) shall be determined at the time when it is made, but

(b) shall be so determined by reference to the total benefit accruing to the donee over that period.

Part II Controls on donations

Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

6 (1) A relevant donation received by a recognised third party must not be accepted if—

(a) the person by whom the donation would be made is not, at the time of its receipt by the recognised third party, a permissible donor falling within section 54(2); or

(b) the recognised third party is (whether because the donation is given anonymously or by reason of any deception or concealment or otherwise) unable to ascertain the identity of the person offering the donation.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule, any relevant donation received by a recognised third party which is an exempt trust donation shall be regarded as a relevant donation received by the recognised third party from a permissible donor.

(3) But, for the purposes of this Schedule, any relevant donation received by a recognised third party from a trustee of any property (in his capacity as such) which is not—

(a) an exempt trust donation, or

(b) a relevant donation transmitted by the trustee to the recognised third party on behalf of beneficiaries under the trust who are—

(i) persons who at the time of its receipt by the recognised third party are permissible donors falling within section 54(2), or

(ii) the members of an unincorporated association which at that time is such a permissible donor,

shall be regarded as a relevant donation received by the recognised third party from a person who is not such a permissible donor.

(4) Where any person (“the principal donor”) causes an amount (“the principal donation”) to be received by a recognised third party by way of a relevant donation—

(a) on behalf of himself and one or more other persons, or

(b) on behalf of two or more other persons,

then for the purposes of this Schedule each individual contribution by a person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of more than £200 shall be treated as if it were a separate donation received from that person.

(5) In relation to each such separate donation, the principal donor must ensure that, at the time when the principal donation is received by the recognised third party, the responsible person is given—

(a) (except in the case of a donation which the principal donor is treated as making) all such details in respect of the person treated as making the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(c) to be given in respect of the donor of a donation to which that paragraph applies; and

(b) (in any case) all such details in respect of the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(a).

(6) Where—

(a) any person (“the agent”) causes an amount to be received by a recognised third party by way of a donation on behalf of another person (“the donor”), and

(b) the amount of the donation is more than £200,

the agent must ensure that, at the time when the donation is received by the recognised third party, the responsible person is given all such details in respect of the donor as are required by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(c) to be given in respect of the donor of a donation to which that paragraph applies.

(7) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to comply with sub-paragraph (5) or (6).

Acceptance or return of donations

7 (1) Sections 56 to 60 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule in relation to a recognised third party and any relevant donation received by a recognised third party as they apply in relation to a registered party and any donation received by a registered party.

(2) In the application of sections 56 to 60 in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) section 56(1) shall have effect as if the reference to the particulars relating to a donor which would be required to be included in a donation report by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 (if the donation were a recordable donation within the meaning of that Schedule) were construed as a reference to the particulars which are required to be included in a return by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(c) (in relation to a donation to which that paragraph applies); and

(b) section 56(3) and (4) shall each have effect as if any reference to the treasurer of the party were construed as a reference to the responsible person.

Evasion of restrictions on donations

8 Section 61 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule as if—

(a) any reference to donations were to relevant donations;

(b) any reference to a registered party were a reference to a recognised third party; and

(c) any reference to the treasurer of a registered party were, in relation to a recognised third party, a reference to the responsible person.

Part III Reporting of donations

Statement of relevant donations

9 The recognised third party must include in any return required to be prepared under section 96 a statement of relevant donations received in respect of the relevant election or elections (within the meaning of that section) which complies with paragraphs 10 and 11.

Donations from permissible donors

10 (1) The statement must record, in relation to each relevant donation falling within sub-paragraph (2) which is accepted by the recognised third party—

(a) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(b) the date when the donation was accepted by the recognised third party; and

(c) the information about the donor which is, in connection with recordable donations to registered parties, required to be recorded in donation reports by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) applies to a relevant donation where—

(a) the value of the donation is more than £5,000, or

(b) the value of the donation, when added to the value of any other donation or donations made by the same donor (whether or not falling within paragraph (a)), is more than that amount.

(3) The statement must also record—

(a) the total value of any relevant donations, other than those falling within sub-paragraph (2), which are accepted by the recognised third party; and

(b) such other information as may be required by regulations made by the Commission.

Donations from impermissible donors

11 (1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph 6(1)(a) or (b).

(2) Where paragraph 6(1)(a) applies, the statement must record—

(a) the name and address of the donor;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(a); and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(3) Where paragraph 6(1)(b) applies, the statement must record—

(a) details of the manner in which the donation was made;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(b); and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(4) In this paragraph any reference to any provision of section 56 is a reference to that provision as applied by paragraph 7.

Section 110.

SCHEDULE 12 Assistance available to designated organisations

Right to send referendum address post free

1 (1) A designated organisation is, subject to such reasonable terms and conditions as the universal service provider concerned may specify, entitled to send free of any charge for postage which would otherwise be made by a universal service provider either—

(a) one unaddressed postal communication, containing matter relating to the referendum only and not exceeding 60 grammes in weight, to each place in the referendum area which, in accordance with those terms and conditions, constitutes a delivery point for the purposes of this sub-paragraph; or

(b) one such postal communication addressed to each person entitled to vote at the referendum.

(2) A designated organisation is also, subject to any such terms and conditions, entitled to send free of any such charge for postage to each person entered in the list of proxies for the referendum one such postal communication for each appointment in respect of which that person is so entered.

(3) Section 200A of the [1983 c. 2.] Representation of the People Act 1983 (remuneration of universal service provider for free postal services rendered in relation to parliamentary elections) shall apply in relation to a postal service rendered by a universal service provider in pursuance of this paragraph as it applies in relation to a postal service rendered by such a provider in pursuance of that Act.

(4) In this paragraph—

• “the referendum area” means the area throughout which the referendum is being held;

• “universal service provider” has the same meaning as in the [2000 c. 26.] Postal Services Act 2000.

(5) If this paragraph comes into force at a time when the amendments made to section 91 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 by the Postal Services Act 2000 have not come into force, then until such time as those amendments come into force, this paragraph shall have effect subject to such modifications as may be specified in the order under section 163 of this Act which brings this paragraph into force.

Right to use rooms for holding public meetings

2 (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph, persons authorised by a designated organisation are entitled for the purpose of holding public meetings in furtherance of the organisation’s referendum campaign to the use free of charge, at reasonable times during the relevant period, of—

(a) a suitable room in the premises of a school to which this paragraph applies in accordance with sub-paragraph (2);

(b) any meeting room to which this paragraph applies in accordance with sub-paragraph (3).

• For this purpose “the relevant period” means the period of 28 days ending with the day before the date of the poll.

(2) This paragraph applies—

(a) in England and Wales, to community, foundation and voluntary schools whose premises are situated in the referendum area, and

(b) in Scotland, to any school whose premises are so situated, other than an independent school within the meaning of the [1980 c. 44.] Education (Scotland) Act 1980.

(3) This paragraph applies to meeting rooms situated in the referendum area the expense of maintaining which is payable wholly or mainly out of public funds or by any local authority, or by a body whose expenses are so payable.

(4) Where a room is used for a meeting in pursuance of the rights conferred by this paragraph, the person by whom or on whose behalf the meeting is convened—

(a) shall defray any expenses incurred in preparing, warming, lighting and cleaning the room and providing attendance for the meeting and restoring the room to its usual condition after the meeting; and

(b) shall defray any damage done to the room or the premises in which it is situated, or to the furniture, fittings or apparatus in the room or premises.

(5) A person is not entitled to exercise the rights conferred by this paragraph except on reasonable notice; and this paragraph does not authorise any interference with the hours during which a room in school premises is used for educational purposes, or any interference with the use of a meeting room either for the purposes of the person maintaining it or under a prior agreement for its letting for any purpose.

(6) For the purposes of this paragraph (except those of paragraph (b) of sub-paragraph (4)), the premises of a school shall not be taken to include any private dwelling, and in this paragraph—

• “dwelling” includes any part of a building where that part is occupied separately as a dwelling;

• “meeting room” means any room which it is the practice to let for public meetings; and

• “room” includes a hall, gallery or gymnasium.

(7) In this paragraph “the referendum area” means the area throughout which the referendum is being held.

(8) Neither this paragraph, nor paragraph 3, applies to Northern Ireland.

Supplementary provisions about use of rooms for public meetings

3 (1) This paragraph has effect with respect to the rights conferred by paragraph 2 and the arrangements to be made for their exercise.

(2) Any arrangements for the use of a room in school premises shall be made—

(a) with the local education authority (or, in Scotland, education authority) maintaining the school, or

(b) in the case of a room in the premises of a foundation or voluntary aided school, with the governing body of the school.

(3) Any question as to the rooms in school premises which a person authorised by a designated organisation is entitled to use, or as to the times at which he is entitled to use them, or as to the notice which is reasonable, shall be determined by the Secretary of State.

(4) Any person authorised by a designated organisation is entitled at all reasonable hours to inspect—

(a) any lists prepared in pursuance of paragraph 4 or 6 of Schedule 5 to the Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 (use of rooms for parliamentary election meetings), or

(b) a copy of any such lists,

in connection with exercising the rights conferred by paragraph 2.

Referendum campaign broadcasts

4 (1) Sections 36(1) and (2) and 107(1) of the [1990 c. 42.] Broadcasting Act 1990 (party political broadcasts) shall apply in relation to referendum campaign broadcasts by designated organisations as they apply in relation to party political broadcasts.

(2) Without prejudice to section 36(1)(b) or 107(1)(b) of the 1990 Act, as it applies in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), the licensing body may determine the length and frequency of the broadcasts which are to be included in a licensed service by virtue of conditions included in a licence by virtue of sub-paragraph (1).

(3) Any rules made by the licensing body for the purposes of section 36 or 107 of the 1990 Act, as it applies in accordance with sub-paragraph (1), may make different provision for different cases or circumstances.

(4) Before making any such rules the licensing body shall have regard to any views expressed by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(5) As soon as practicable after the commencement of this paragraph the licensing body shall, in the case of each licence in force at that commencement in which conditions are to be included by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) determine the conditions which are to be so included;

(b) notify the licence holder of those conditions; and

(c) send the licence holder a revised licence which includes those conditions.

(6) The British Broadcasting Corporation and Sianel Pedwar Cymru shall each, in determining its policy with respect to referendum campaign broadcasts by designated organisations, have regard to any views expressed by the Electoral Commission for the purposes of this sub-paragraph.

(7) In this paragraph—

• “the 1990 Act” means the [1990 c. 42.] Broadcasting Act 1990;

• “licence” means—

  (a)

  in the context of section 36 of the 1990 Act, a regional Channel 3 licence or a licence to provide Channel 4 or 5 (each within the meaning of Part I of that Act), or

  (b)

  in the context of section 107 of the 1990 Act, a national licence (within the meaning of Part III of that Act),

  and “licensed” shall be construed accordingly;

• “the licensing body” means the Independent Television Commission or (as the case may be) the Radio Authority;

• “referendum campaign broadcast” has the same meaning as in section 127.

Section 111.

SCHEDULE 13 Referendum expenses: qualifying expenses

Part I Qualifying expenses

Expenses qualifying where incurred for referendum purposes

1 For the purposes of section 111(2) the expenses falling within this Part of this Schedule are expenses incurred in respect of any of the matters set out in the following list.

List of matters

(1) Referendum campaign broadcasts.

• Expenses in respect of such broadcasts include agency fees, design costs and other costs in connection with preparing or producing such broadcasts.

(2) Advertising of any nature (whatever the medium used).

• Expenses in respect of such advertising include agency fees, design costs and other costs in connection with preparing, producing, distributing or otherwise disseminating such advertising or anything incorporating such advertising and intended to be distributed for the purpose of disseminating it.

(3) Unsolicited material addressed to electors (whether addressed to them by name or intended for delivery to households within any particular area or areas).

• Expenses in respect of such material include design costs and other costs in connection with preparing, producing or distributing such material (including the cost of postage).

(4) Any material to which section 125 applies.

• Expenses in respect of such material include design costs and other costs in connection with preparing or producing or distributing or otherwise disseminating such material.

(5) Market research or canvassing conducted for the purpose of ascertaining polling intentions.

(6) The provision of any services or facilities in connection with press conferences or other dealings with the media.

(7) Transport (by any means) of persons to any place or places with a view to obtaining publicity in connection with a referendum campaign.

• Expenses in respect of the transport of such persons include the costs of hiring a particular means of transport for the whole or part of the period during which the campaign is being conducted.

(8) Rallies and other events, including public meetings (but not annual or other party conferences) organised so as to obtain publicity in connection with a referendum campaign or for other purposes connected with a referendum campaign.

• Expenses in respect of such events include costs incurred in connection with the attendance of persons at such events, the hire of premises for the purposes of such events or the provision of goods, services or facilities at them.

Exclusions

2 Nothing in paragraph 1 shall be taken as extending to—

(a) any expenses in respect of any property, services or facilities so far as those expenses fall to be met out of public funds;

(b) any expenses incurred in respect of the remuneration or allowances payable to any member of the staff (whether permanent or otherwise) of the campaign organiser; or

(c) any expenses incurred in respect of an individual by way of travelling expenses (by any means of transport) or in providing for his accommodation or other personal needs to the extent that the expenses are paid by the individual from his own resources and are not reimbursed to him.

Part II Supplemental

Guidance by Commission

3 (1) The Commission may prepare, and from time to time revise, a code of practice giving guidance as to the kinds of expenses which do, or do not, fall within Part I of this Schedule.

(2) Once the Commission have prepared a draft code under this paragraph, they shall submit it to the Secretary of State for his approval.

(3) The Secretary of State may approve a draft code either without modification or with such modifications as he may determine.

(4) Once the Secretary of State has approved a draft code he shall lay a copy of the draft, whether—

(a) in its original form, or

(b) in a form which incorporates any modifications determined under sub-paragraph (3),

before each House of Parliament.

(5) If the draft incorporates any such modifications, the Secretary of State shall at the same time lay before each House a statement of his reasons for making them.

(6) If, within the 40-day period, either House resolves not to approve the draft, the Secretary of State shall take no further steps in relation to the draft code.

(7) If no such resolution is made within the 40-day period—

(a) the Secretary of State shall issue the code in the form of the draft laid before Parliament, and

(b) the code shall come into force on such date as the Secretary of State may by order appoint;

and the Commission shall arrange for it to be published in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(8) Sub-paragraph (6) does not prevent a new draft code from being laid before Parliament.

(9) In this paragraph “40-day period”, in relation to a draft code, means—

(a) if the draft is laid before one House on a day later than the day on which it is laid before the other House, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of the two days, and

(b) in any other case, the period of 40 days beginning with the day on which the draft is laid before each House,

no account being taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.

(10) In this paragraph references to a draft code include a draft revised code.

Power to amend Part I

4 (1) The Secretary of State may by order make such amendments of Part I of this Schedule as he considers appropriate.

(2) The Secretary of State may make such an order either—

(a) where the order gives effect to a recommendation of the Commission; or

(b) after consultation with the Commission.

Section 118.

SCHEDULE 14

Limits on referendum expenses by permitted participants

Limits in relation to referendums held throughout United Kingdom

1 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a referendum falling within section 101(1)(a).

(2) The limit on referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of a permitted participant during the referendum period in the case of such a referendum is—

(a) £5 million in the case of a person or body designated under section 108;

(b) in the case of a registered party falling within section 105(1)(a) but not designated under section 108—

(i) £5 million, if the party’s relevant percentage exceeds 30 per cent,

(ii) £4 million, if the party’s relevant percentage is more than 20 per cent. but not more than 30 per cent,

(iii) £3 million, if the party’s relevant percentage is more than 10 per cent. but not more than 20 per cent,

(iv) £2 million, if the party’s relevant percentage is more than 5 per cent. but not more than 10 per cent,

(v) £500,000, if the party’s relevant percentage is not more than 5 per cent. or if it has no relevant percentage; and

(c) £500,000 in the case of a person or body falling within section 105(1)(b) but not designated under section 108.

(3) For the purposes of this paragraph—

(a) a registered party has a relevant percentage in relation to a referendum to which this paragraph applies if, at the last parliamentary general election taking place before the referendum, votes were cast for one or more candidates at the election authorised to use the party’s registered name; and

(b) the amount of its relevant percentage is equal to the percentage of the total number of votes cast for all candidates at that election which is represented by the total number of votes cast for the candidate or candidates mentioned in paragraph (a).

(4) Where at any such general election a candidate was authorised to use the registered name of more than one registered party, then for the purposes of sub-paragraph (3)(b) as it applies in relation to each of those parties, the number of votes cast for the candidate shall be taken to be the total number cast for him divided by the number of parties.

(5) In this paragraph any reference to a parliamentary general election is to one taking place after the passing of this Act.

Limits in relation to referendums held in particular parts of United Kingdom

2 (1) This paragraph imposes limits in relation to a referendum to which this Part applies, other than one falling within section 101(1)(a).

(2) The limit on referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of a permitted participant during the referendum period in the case of such a referendum is such amount as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe.

(3) Different amounts may be so prescribed for different referendums or different categories of permitted participants.

(4) Before making an order under this paragraph the Secretary of State shall seek, and have regard to, the views of the Commission.

(5) Where the Secretary of State proposes to make such an order otherwise than in accordance with the views of the Commission, he shall on laying a draft of a statutory instrument containing the order before each House of Parliament also lay before each House a statement of his reasons for departing from the views of the Commission.

Section 119.

SCHEDULE 15 Control of donations to permitted participants

Part I Introductory

Operation and interpretation of Schedule

1 (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to permitted participants that either are not registered parties or are minor parties.

(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.

(3) In accordance with sub-paragraph (1) “permitted participant” does not include a permitted participant which is a registered party other than a minor party.

(4) “Relevant donation”, in relation to a permitted participant at a referendum, means a donation to the permitted participant for the purpose of meeting referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of the permitted participant.

(5) “Donation” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4.

(6) In relation to donations received by a permitted participant other than a designated organisation, references to a permissible donor falling within section 54(2) do not include a registered party.

• In this sub-paragraph “designated organisation” has the meaning given by section 110(5).

Donations: general rules

2 (1) “Donation”, in relation to a permitted participant, means (subject to paragraph 4)—

(a) any gift to the permitted participant of money or other property;

(b) any sponsorship provided in relation to the permitted participant (as defined by paragraph 3);

(c) any money spent (otherwise than by or on behalf of the permitted participant) in paying any referendum expenses incurred by or on behalf of the permitted participant;

(d) any money lent to the permitted participant otherwise than on commercial terms;

(e) the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the permitted participant (including the services of any person);

(f) in the case of a permitted participant other than an individual, any subscription or other fee paid for affiliation to, or membership of, the permitted participant.

(2) Where—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to a permitted participant pursuant to any transaction or arrangement involving the provision by or on behalf of the permitted participant of any property, services or facilities or other consideration of monetary value, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration so provided by or on behalf of the permitted participant is less than the value of the money or (as the case may be) the market value of the property transferred,

the transfer of the money or property shall (subject to sub-paragraph (4)) constitute a gift to the permitted participant for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a).

(3) In determining—

(a) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) whether any money lent to a permitted participant is so lent otherwise than on commercial terms, or

(b) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(e) whether any property, services or facilities provided for the use or benefit of a permitted participant is or are so provided otherwise than on such terms,

regard shall be had to the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the permitted participant in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities.

(4) Where (apart from this sub-paragraph) anything would be a donation both by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(b) and by virtue of any other provision of this paragraph, sub-paragraph (1)(b) (together with paragraph 3) shall apply in relation to it to the exclusion of the other provision of this paragraph.

(5) Anything given or transferred to any officer, member, trustee or agent of a permitted participant in his capacity as such (and not for his own use or benefit) is to be regarded as given or transferred to the permitted participant (and references to donations received by a permitted participant accordingly include donations so given or transferred).

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) any reference to anything being given or transferred to a permitted participant or any other person is a reference to its being given or transferred either directly or indirectly through any third person;

(b) “gift” includes bequest.

Sponsorship

3 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided in relation to a permitted participant if—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to the permitted participant or to any person for the benefit of the permitted participant, and

(b) the purpose (or one of the purposes) of the transfer is (or must, having regard to all the circumstances, reasonably be assumed to be)—

(i) to help the permitted participant with meeting, or to meet, to any extent any defined expenses incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the permitted participant, or

(ii) to secure that to any extent any such expenses are not so incurred.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) “defined expenses” means expenses in connection with—

(a) any conference, meeting or other event organised by or on behalf of the permitted participant,

(b) the preparation, production or dissemination of any publication by or on behalf of the permitted participant, or

(c) any study or research organised by or on behalf of the permitted participant.

(3) The following do not, however, constitute sponsorship by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) the making of any payment in respect of—

(i) any charge for admission to any conference, meeting or other event, or

(ii) the purchase price of, or any other charge for access to, any publication;

(b) the making of any payment in respect of the inclusion of an advertisement in any publication where the payment is made at the commercial rate payable for the inclusion of such an advertisement in any such publication.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order made on the recommendation of the Commission amend sub-paragraph (2) or (3).

(5) In this paragraph “publication” means a publication made available in whatever form and by whatever means (whether or not to the public at large or any section of the public).

Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations

4 (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a donation—

(a) any grant provided out of public funds, other than a grant provided to a designated organisation by virtue of section 110(2);

(b) the provision of any rights conferred on a designated organisation (or persons authorised by a designated organisation) by virtue of section 110(4) and Schedule 12;

(c) the provision by an individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily in his own time and free of charge; or

(d) any interest accruing to a permitted participant in respect of any donation which is dealt with by the permitted participant in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b) (as applied by paragraph 7).

(2) Any donation whose value (as determined in accordance with paragraph 5) is not more than £200 shall be disregarded.

Value of donations

5 (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a) (other than money) shall be taken to be the market value of the property in question.

(2) Where, however, paragraph 2(1)(a) applies by virtue of paragraph 2(2), the value of the donation shall be taken to be the difference between—

(a) the value of the money, or the market value of the property, in question, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the permitted participant.

(3) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(b) shall be taken to be the value of the money, or (as the case may be) the market value of the property, transferred as mentioned in paragraph 3(1); and accordingly any value in monetary terms of any benefit conferred on the person providing the sponsorship in question shall be disregarded.

(4) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(d) or (e) shall be taken to be the amount representing the difference between—

(a) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration that would have had to be provided by or on behalf of the permitted participant in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities if—

(i) the loan had been made, or

(ii) the property, services or facilities had been provided,

on commercial terms, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration (if any) actually so provided by or on behalf of the permitted participant.

(5) Where a donation such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) confers an enduring benefit on the donee over a particular period, the value of the donation—

(a) shall be determined at the time when it is made, but

(b) shall be so determined by reference to the total benefit accruing to the donee over that period.

Part II Controls on donations

Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

6 (1) A relevant donation received by a permitted participant must not be accepted by the permitted participant if—

(a) the person by whom the donation would be made is not, at the time of its receipt by the permitted participant, a permissible donor falling within section 54(2), or

(b) the permitted participant is (whether because the donation is given anonymously or by reason of any deception or concealment or otherwise) unable to ascertain the identity of the person offering the donation.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule any payment received by a designated organisation by virtue of section 110(2) shall be regarded as a donation received by the organisation from a permissible donor falling within section 54(2).

(3) For the purposes of this Schedule, any relevant donation received by a permitted participant which is an exempt trust donation shall be regarded as a relevant donation received by the permitted participant from a permissible donor.

(4) But, for the purposes of this Schedule, any relevant donation received by a permitted participant from a trustee of any property (in his capacity as such) which is not—

(a) an exempt trust donation, or

(b) a relevant donation transmitted by the trustee to the permitted participant on behalf of beneficiaries under the trust who are—

(i) persons who at the time of its receipt by the permitted participant are permissible donors falling within section 54(2), or

(ii) the members of an unincorporated association which at that time is such a permissible donor,

shall be regarded as a relevant donation received by the permitted participant from a person who is not such a permissible donor.

(5) Where any person (“the principal donor”) causes an amount (“the principal donation”) to be received by a permitted participant by way of a relevant donation—

(a) on behalf of himself and one or more other persons, or

(b) on behalf of two or more other persons,

then for the purposes of this Schedule each individual contribution by a person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of more than £200 shall be treated as if it were a separate donation received from that person.

(6) In relation to each such separate donation, the principal donor must ensure that, at the time when the principal donation is received by the permitted participant, the responsible person is given—

(a) (except in the case of a donation which the principal donor is treated as making) all such details in respect of the person treated as making the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(c) to be given in respect of the donor of a donation to which that paragraph applies; and

(b) (in any case) all such details in respect of the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(a).

(7) Where—

(a) any person (“the agent”) causes an amount to be received by a permitted participant by way of a donation on behalf of another person (“the donor”), and

(b) the amount of the donation is more than £200,

the agent must ensure that, at the time when the donation is received by the permitted participant, the responsible person is given all such details in respect of the donor as are required by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(c) to be given in respect of the donor of a donation to which that paragraph applies.

(8) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to comply with sub-paragraph (6) or (7).

Acceptance or return of donations

7 (1) Sections 56 to 60 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule in relation to a permitted participant and any relevant donation received by a permitted participant as they apply in relation to a registered party and a donation received by a registered party.

(2) In the application of sections 56 to 60 in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) section 56(1) shall have effect as if the reference to the particulars relating to a donor which would be required to be included in a donation report by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 (if the donation were a recordable donation within the meaning of that Schedule) were construed as a reference to the particulars which are required to be included in a return by virtue of paragraph 10(1)(c) (in relation to a donation to which that paragraph applies); and

(b) section 56(3) and (4) shall each have effect as if any reference to the treasurer of a registered party were construed as a reference to the responsible person in relation to the permitted participant.

Evasion of restrictions on donations

8 Section 61 shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule as if—

(a) any reference to donations were to relevant donations;

(b) any reference to a registered party were a reference to a permitted participant; and

(c) any reference to the treasurer of such a party were, in relation to a permitted participant, a reference to the responsible person.

Part III Reporting of donations

Statement of relevant donations

9 The responsible person in relation to a permitted participant must include in any return required to be prepared under section 120 a statement of relevant donations which complies with paragraphs 10 and 11.

Donations from permissible donors

10 (1) The statement must record, in relation to each relevant donation falling within sub-paragraph (2) which is accepted by the permitted participant—

(a) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(b) the date when the donation was accepted by the permitted participant; and

(c) the information about the donor which is, in connection with recordable donations to registered parties, required to be recorded in donation reports by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6.

(2) Sub-paragraph (1) applies to a relevant donation where—

(a) the value of the donation is more than £5,000, or

(b) the value of the donation, when added to the value of any other donation or donations made by the same donor (whether or not falling within paragraph (a)), is more than that amount.

(3) The statement must also record—

(a) the total value of any relevant donations, other than those falling within sub-paragraph (2), which are accepted by the permitted participant; and

(b) such other information as may be required by regulations made by the Commission.

Donations from impermissible or unidentifiable donors

11 (1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph 6(1)(a) or (b).

(2) Where paragraph 6(1)(a) applies, the statement must record—

(a) the name and address of the donor;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(a); and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(3) Where paragraph 6(1)(b) applies the statement must record—

(a) details of the manner in which the donation was made;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(b); and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(4) In this paragraph any reference to any provision of section 56 is a reference to that provision as applied by paragraph 7.

Section 130.

SCHEDULE 16 Control of donations to candidates: New Schedule 2A to the [1983 c. 2.] Representation of the People Act 1983

“Schedule 2A Control of Donations to Candidates

Part I Introductory

Operation and interpretation of Schedule

1 (1) This Schedule has effect for controlling donations to candidates at an election.

(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Schedule.

(3) “Relevant donation”, in relation to a candidate at an election, means a donation to the candidate or his election agent for the purpose of meeting election expenses incurred by or on behalf of the candidate.

(4) In sub-paragraph (3) above the reference to a donation for the purpose of meeting election expenses incurred by or on behalf of a candidate includes a reference to a donation for the purpose of securing that any such expenses are not so incurred; and a donation shall be taken to be a donation for either of those purposes if, having regard to all the circumstances, it must be reasonably assumed to be such a donation.

(5) “Donation” shall be construed in accordance with paragraphs 2 to 4 below.

(6) “The 2000 Act” means the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

(7) Where—

(a) at a time when any order is in force under section 70(1) of the 2000 Act a donation is received by a candidate at an election in Great Britain, and

(b) the order provides for this sub-paragraph to apply to any such donation,

references to a permissible donor falling within section 54(2) of that Act shall be construed, in relation to the donation, as not including a registered party which is registered in the Northern Ireland register maintained by the Commission under Part II of that Act.

(8) “The Commission” means the Electoral Commission established by section 1 of that Act.

(9) Any reference to a donation received by a candidate when he is (or is deemed to be) his own election agent includes a reference to a donation received by a candidate on a list of candidates to be London members of the London Assembly at an ordinary election who is, or is deemed to be, the election agent of all the candidates on the list.

(10) Any donation which is received by a candidate as mentioned in sub-paragraph (9) above shall be regarded as received by him in his capacity as election agent.

Donations: general rules

2 (1) “Donation”, in relation to a candidate at an election, means (subject to paragraph 4 below)—

(a) any gift to the candidate or his election agent of money or other property;

(b) any sponsorship provided in relation to the candidate (as defined by paragraph 3 below);

(c) any money spent (otherwise than by the candidate, his election agent or any sub-agent) in paying any election expenses incurred by or on behalf of the candidate;

(d) any money lent to the candidate or his election agent otherwise than on commercial terms;

(e) the provision otherwise than on commercial terms of any property, services or facilities for the use or benefit of the candidate (including the services of any person).

(2) Where—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to a candidate or his election agent pursuant to any transaction or arrangement involving the provision by or on behalf of the candidate of any property, services or facilities or other consideration of monetary value, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration so provided by or on behalf of the candidate is less than the value of the money or (as the case may be) the market value of the property transferred,

the transfer of the money or property shall (subject to sub-paragraph (4) below) constitute a gift to the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(a) above.

(3) In determining—

(a) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(d) above, whether any money lent to a candidate or his election agent is so lent otherwise than on commercial terms, or

(b) for the purposes of sub-paragraph (1)(e) above, whether any property, services or facilities provided for the use or benefit of a candidate is or are so provided otherwise than on such terms,

regard shall be had to the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the candidate in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities.

(4) Where (apart from this sub-paragraph) anything would be a donation both by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(b) above and by virtue of any other provision of this paragraph, sub-paragraph (1)(b) (together with paragraph 3 below) shall apply in relation to it to the exclusion of the other provision of this paragraph.

(5) The reference in sub-paragraph (1)(c) above to money spent as mentioned in that provision is a reference to money so spent by a person, other than the candidate, his election agent or any sub-agent, out of his own resources (with no right to reimbursement out of the resources of any such other person); and where, by virtue of sub-paragraph (1)(c) above, money so spent constitutes a donation to the candidate, the candidate shall be treated as receiving an equivalent amount on the date on which the money is paid to the creditor irespect of the expenses in question.

(6) In this paragraph—

(a) any reference to anything being given or transferred to a candidate or his election agent includes a reference to its being given or transferred either directly or indirectly through any third person;

(b) “gift” includes a bequest or any other form of testamentary disposition.

Sponsorship

3 (1) For the purposes of this Schedule sponsorship is provided in relation to a candidate if—

(a) any money or other property is transferred to the candidate or to any person for the benefit of the candidate, and

(b) the purpose (or one of the purposes) of the transfer is (or must, having regard to all the circumstances, reasonably be assumed to be)—

(i) to help the candidate with meeting, or to meet, to any extent any defined expenses incurred or to be incurred by or on behalf of the candidate, or

(ii) to secure that to any extent any such expenses are not so incurred.

(2) In sub-paragraph (1) above “defined expenses” means expenses in connection with—

(a) any conference, meeting or other event organised by or on behalf of the candidate,

(b) the preparation, production or dissemination of any publication by or on behalf of the candidate, or

(c) any study or research organised by or on behalf of the candidate.

(3) The following do not, however, constitute sponsorship by virtue of sub-paragraph (1) above—

(a) the making of any payment in respect of—

(i) any charge for admission to any conference, meeting or other event, or

(ii) the purchase price of, or any other charge for access to, any publication;

(b) the making of any payment in respect of the inclusion of an advertisement in any publication where the payment is made at the commercial rate payable for the inclusion of such an advertisement in any such publication.

(4) The Secretary of State may by order made on the recommendation of the Commission amend sub-paragraph (2) or (3) above.

(5) Any order under sub-paragraph (4) above shall be made by statutory instrument; but no such order shall be made unless a draft of the order has been laid before and approved by a resolution of each House of Parliament.

(6) In this paragraph “publication” means a publication made available in whatever form and by whatever means (whether or not to the public at large or any section of the public).

Payments etc. not to be regarded as donations

4 (1) None of the following shall be regarded as a donation—

(a) the provision of any facilities provided in pursuance of any right conferred on a candidate at an election by this Act;

(b) the provision by an individual of his own services which he provides voluntarily in his own time and free of charge;

(c) any interest accruing to a candidate or his election agent in respect of any donation which is dealt with by the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent in accordance with section 56(2)(a) or (b) of the 2000 Act (as applied by paragraph 7 below).

(2) There shall also be disregarded any donation whose value (determined in accordance with paragraph 5 below) is not more than £50.

Value of donations

5 (1) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(a) above (other than money) shall be taken to be the market value of the property in question.

(2) Where, however, paragraph 2(1)(a) above applies by virtue of paragraph 2(2) above, the value of the donation shall be taken to be the difference between—

(a) the value of the money, or the market value of the property, in question, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration provided by or on behalf of the candidate or his election agent.

(3) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(b) above shall be taken to be the value of the money, or (as the case may be) the market value of the property, transferred as mentioned in paragraph 3(1) above; and accordingly any value in monetary terms of any benefit conferred on the person providing the sponsorship in question shall be disregarded.

(4) The value of any donation falling within paragraph 2(1)(d) or (e) above shall be taken to be the amount representing the difference between—

(a) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration that would have had to be provided by or on behalf of the candidate or his election agent in respect of the loan or the provision of the property, services or facilities if—

(i) the loan had been made, or

(ii) the property, services or facilities had been provided,

on commercial terms, and

(b) the total value in monetary terms of the consideration (if any) actually so provided by or on behalf of the candidate or his election agent.

(5) Where a donation such as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (4) above confers an enduring benefit on the donee over a particular period, the value of the donation—

(a) shall be determined at the time when it is made, but

(b) shall be so determined by reference to the total benefit accruing to the donee over that period.

(6) In this paragraph “market value” in relation to any property, means the price which might reasonably be expected to be paid for the property on a sale in the open market.

Part II Controls on donations

Prohibition on accepting donations from impermissible donors

6 (1) A relevant donation received by a candidate or his election agent must not be accepted if—

(a) the person by whom the donation would be made is not, at the time of its receipt by the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent, a permissible donor falling within section 54(2) of the 2000 Act; or

(b) the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent is (whether because the donation is given anonymously or by reason of any deception or concealment or otherwise) unable to ascertain the identity of the person offering the donation.

(2) For the purposes of this Schedule any relevant donation received by a candidate or his election agent which is an exempt trust donation shall be regarded as a relevant donation received by the candidate or his election agent from a permissible donor; and section 162 of the 2000 Act (interpretation: exempt trust donations) shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule as it applies for the purposes of that Act.

(3) But, for the purposes of this Schedule, any relevant donation received by a candidate or his election agent from a trustee of any property (in his capacity as such) which is not—

(a) an exempt trust donation, or

(b) a relevant donation transmitted by the trustee to the candidate or his election agent on behalf of beneficiaries under the trust who are—

(i) persons who at the time of its receipt by the candidate or his election agent are permissible donors falling within section 54(2) of the 2000 Act, or

(ii) the members of an unincorporated association which at that time is such a permissible donor,

shall be regarded as a relevant donation received by the candidate or his election agent from a person who is not such a permissible donor.

(4) Where any person (“the principal donor”) causes an amount (“the principal donation”) to be received by a candidate or his election agent by way of a relevant donation—

(a) on behalf of himself and one or more other persons, or

(b) on behalf of two or more other persons,

then for the purposes of this Part each individual contribution by a person falling within paragraph (a) or (b) of more than £50 shall be treated as if it were a separate donation received from that person.

(5) In relation to each such separate donation, the principal donor must ensure that, at the time when the principal donation is received by the candidate or his election agent, the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent is given—

(a) (except in the case of a donation which the principal donor is treated as making) all such details in respect of the person treated as making the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 11(c) below; and

(b) (in any case) all such details in respect of the donation as are required by virtue of paragraph 11(a) below.

(6) Where—

(a) any person (“the agent”) causes an amount to be received by a candidate or his election agent by way of a donation on behalf of another person (“the donor”), and

(b) the amount of the donation is more than £50,

the agent must ensure that, at the time when the donation is received by the candidate or his election agent, the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent is given all such details in respect of the donor as are required by virtue of paragraph 11(c) below.

(7) A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, he fails to comply with sub-paragraph (5) or (6) above.

(8) A person guilty of an offence under sub-paragraph (7) shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 6 months (or both);

(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine or to a term of imprisonment not exceeding one year (or both).

Acceptance or return of donations

7 (1) Sections 56 to 60 of the 2000 Act shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule in relation to—

(a) a relevant donation received by a candidate or his election agent, and

(b) the candidate or (as the case may be) the election agent,

as they apply in relation to a donation received by a registered party and the registered party.

(2) In the application of sections 56 to 60 of that Act in accordance with sub-paragraph (1)—

(a) section 56(1) shall have effect as if the reference to the particulars relating to a donor which would be required to be included in a donation report by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 (if the donation were a recordable donation within the meaning of that Schedule) were construed as a reference to the particulars which are required to be included in a return by virtue of paragraph 11(c) below;

(b) section 56(3) shall have effect as if the reference to the party were omitted and the reference to the treasurer of the party were construed as a reference to the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent; and

(c) section 56(4) shall have effect as if the reference to the treasurer of the party were construed as a reference to the candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent.

Transfer of donations received by candidate to election agent

8 (1) Sub-paragraph (2) below applies in relation to any relevant donation received by a candidate after the deadline for appointing an election agent (unless the candidate is, or is deemed to be, his own election agent at the time of receipt of the donation).

(2) The candidate shall, on receipt of any such donation as is mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) above, forthwith deliver to his election agent—

(a) the donation,

(b) where paragraph 6(5) or (6) above applies in relation to the donation, the information provided to the candidate in pursuance of that provision, and

(c) any other information which the candidate has about the donation and its donor which might reasonably be expected to assist the election agent in the discharge of any duties imposed on him, in relation to the donation, under this Part or Part III of this Schedule.

(3) Where a donation is delivered to an election agent in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) above, the donation shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph 6(1) to (4) above and the provisions applied by paragraph 7 above as if it had been—

(a) originally received by the election agent, and

(b) so received by him on the date on which it was received by the candidate.

(4) Where a candidate receives a relevant donation before the deadline for appointing an election agent but at a time when an appointment of a person (other than the candidate himself) as election agent is in force he shall either—

(a) forthwith deliver the donation and the information mentioned in sub-paragraph (2)(b) and (c) above to the agent, or

(b) (if he fails to do so) deal with the donation in accordance with section 56 of the 2000 Act.

(5) Sub-paragraph (3) above shall have effect in relation to any relevant donation delivered to an election agent in accordance with sub-paragraph (4)(a) above as it has effect in relation to a donation delivered to him in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) above.

(6) Sub-paragraph (7) below applies where—

(a) a relevant donation received by a candidate before the deadline for appointing an election agent has been dealt with by the candidate in accordance with section 56 of the 2000 Act either because—

(i) it was received by him at a time when no appointment of another person as his election agent was in force, or

(ii) although such an appointment was in force, he was by virtue of sub-paragraph (4)(b) required to deal with the donation; and

(b) an appointment of a person (other than the candidate himself) as election agent is in force at, or at any time after—

(i) the deadline for appointing an election agent, or

(ii) if later, the time when the candidate has dealt with the donation in accordance with section 56 of the 2000 Act.

(7) Subject to sub-paragraph (9) below, the candidate shall, as soon as reasonably practicable after the relevant time, deliver to the election agent—

(a) the donation (if it has been accepted by him), and

(b) any information which he has about the donation and the donor which might reasonably be expected to assist the election agent in the discharge of any duties imposed on him, in relation to the donation, under Part III of this Schedule.

(8) The relevant time for the purposes of sub-paragraph (7) above is—

(a) the time mentioned in sub-paragraph (6)(b)(i) or (ii) (as the case may be) if the appointment of another person as election agent is in force at that time, or

(b) otherwise, the time when any such appointment subsequently comes into force.

(9) The duty imposed on a candidate by sub-paragraph (7)(a) above does not apply to any relevant donation to the extent to which it has been lawfully used by the candidate for the purpose of paying election expenses.

(10) In this paragraph—

(a) any reference to the deadline for appointing an election agent is a reference to the latest time by which an election agent may in accordance with section 67(1) or (1A) of this Act be named as election agent—

(i) by the candidate, or

(ii) in the case of a candidate on a list of candidates submitted by a registered political party to be London members of the London Assembly at an ordinary election, by the party; and

(b) any reference to any provision of section 56 of the 2000 Act is a reference to that provision as applied by paragraph 7 above.

Evasion of restrictions on donations

9 Section 61 of the 2000 Act shall apply for the purposes of this Schedule as if—

(a) any reference to donations were to relevant donations;

(b) any reference to a registered party were, in relation to a relevant donation, a reference to a candidate or (as the case may be) his election agent; and

(c) any reference in subsection (2) to the treasurer of a registered party were, in relation to a relevant donation, a reference to either the candidate or his election agent (or both).

Part III Reporting of donations

Statement of relevant donations

10 The candidate’s election agent must include in any return required to be delivered under section 81 of this Act a statement of relevant donations which complies with paragraphs 11 and 12 below.

Donations from permissible donors

11 The statement must record, in relation to each relevant donation accepted by the candidate or his election agent—

(a) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5 above;

(b) the date when the donation was accepted by the candidate or his election agent;

(c) the information about the donor which is, in connection with recordable donations to registered parties, required to be recorded in donation reports by virtue of paragraph 2 of Schedule 6 to the 2000 Act; and

(d) such other information as may be required by regulations made by the Commission.

Donations from impermissible donors

12 (1) This paragraph applies to relevant donations falling within paragraph 6(1)(a) or (b) above.

(2) Where paragraph 6(1)(a) above applies, the statement must record—

(a) the name and address of the donor;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5 above;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(a) of the 2000 Act; and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(3) Where paragraph 6(1)(b) above applies, the statement must record—

(a) details of the manner in which the donation was made;

(b) the amount of the donation (if a donation of money, in cash or otherwise) or (in any other case) the nature of the donation and its value as determined in accordance with paragraph 5 above;

(c) the date when the donation was received, and the date when, and the manner in which, it was dealt with in accordance with section 56(2)(b) of the 2000 Act; and

(d) such other information as is required by regulations made by the Commission.

(4) In this paragraph any reference to any provision of section 56 of the 2000 Act is a reference to that provision as applied by paragraph 7 above.”

Section 137.

SCHEDULE 17 Amendments relating to election petitions

Preliminary

1 The Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 shall be amended as follows.

Local election petitions

2 In section 130 (election court for election in England and Wales and place of trial), in subsection (2)(b) (disqualification of persons to constitute election court) for the words from “area” onwards substitute “area in which he resides.”

Procedure on all election petitions

3 (1) For section 137 there shall be substituted—

“137 Petition at issue

(1) The petition shall be at issue as from the relevant time, as defined by subsection (2) below.

(2) In this section “the relevant time” means—

(a) where the petitioner gives the security for costs required by section 136 above by a deposit of money equal to the amount of the security so required, the time when the security is so given; and

(b) in any other case, the time when—

(i) the time prescribed for the making of objections under section 136(4) above expires, or

(ii) if such an objection is made, that objection is disallowed or removed,

whichever happens later.”

(2) The amendment made by sub-paragraph (1) does not have effect in relation to election petitions in respect of local government elections in Scotland.

4 In section 138(1) (list of petitions) the words from “, a copy of which” onwards shall be omitted.

5 (1) Sections 148 to 153 (withdrawal or abatement of petition) shall be omitted.

(2) The repeals made by sub-paragraph (1) do not have effect in relation to election petitions in respect of local government elections in Scotland.

6 In section 157 (appeals and jurisdiction), subsection (5) (additional remuneration for designated masters) shall be omitted.

Consequences of finding by election court of corrupt or illegal practice

7 In section 159 (candidate reported guilty of corrupt or illegal practice)—

(a) subsection (2) shall be omitted, and

(b) for subsection (3) there shall be substituted—

“(3) A candidate at a local government election in Scotland who is reported personally guilty or guilty by his agents of any corrupt or illegal practice shall also be incapable from the date of the report of holding the office of councillor of any local authority in Scotland—

(a) for ten years, if reported personally guilty of a corrupt practice,

(b) for three years, if reported guilty by his agents of a corrupt practice, or

(c) during the period for which the candidate was elected to serve or for which if elected he might have served, if reported personally guilty or guilty by his agents of an illegal practice,

and if at the date of the report he holds any such office, then the office shall be vacated as from that date.”

8 In section 160 (candidate or other person reported personally guilty of corrupt practice or illegal practice), for subsections (4) and (5) there shall be substituted—

“(4) Subject to the provisions of subsection (4A) and section 174 below, a candidate or other person reported by an election court personally guilty of a corrupt or illegal practice—

(a) shall during the relevant period specified in subsection (5) below be incapable of—

(i) being registered as an elector or voting at any parliamentary election in the United Kingdom or at any local government election in Great Britain,

(ii) being elected to the House of Commons, or

(iii) holding any elective office; and

(b) if already elected to a seat in the House of Commons, or holding any such office, shall vacate the seat or office as from the date of the report.

(4A) The incapacity imposed by subsection (4)(a)(i) above applies only to a candidate or other person reported personally guilty of a corrupt practice under section 60 above or of an illegal practice under section 61 above.

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4) above the relevant period is the period beginning with the date of the report and ending—

(a) in the case of a person reported personally guilty of a corrupt practice, five years after that date, or

(b) in the case of a person reported personally guilty of an illegal practice, three years after that date.

(5A) Subject to the provisions of section 174 but in addition to any incapacity arising by virtue of subsection (4) above, a candidate or other person reported by an election court personally guilty of a corrupt practice—

(a) shall for the period of five years beginning with the date of the report, be incapable of holding any public or judicial office in Scotland, and

(b) if already holding such an office, shall vacate it as from that date.”

9 In section 166 (votes to be struck off for corrupt or illegal practices), in subsection (3) (person’s vote to be void if he is subject to any incapacity to vote), for “public office” there shall be substituted “elective office or to any public office in Scotland”.

10 In section 185(1) (interpretation of Part III of the Act)—

(a) after the definition of “declaration as to election expenses” there shall be inserted—

““elective office” means any office to which a local government election is held in England or Wales;”; and

(b) in the definition of “public office” for “ “public office” means any office—” substitute “ “public office” in relation to Scotland means any office held in Scotland—”.

Section 138.

SCHEDULE 18 Election campaigns and proceedings: miscellaneous amendments

Preliminary

1 The Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983 shall be amended as follows.

Contracts about election expenses

2 Section 72 (contracts through election agent) shall be omitted.

Payment of election expenses

3 (1) Section 73 (payment of expenses through election agent) shall be amended as follows.

(2) For subsection (1) there shall be substituted—

“(1) Subject to subsection (5) below, no payment (of whatever nature) shall be made by—

(a) a candidate at an election, or

(b) any other person,

in respect of election expenses incurred by or on behalf of the candidate unless it is made by or through the candidate’s election agent.”

(3) In subsection (2), for “and by a receipt” there shall be substituted “or by a receipt”.

(4) Subsection (4) shall be omitted.

(5) For subsection (5) there shall be substituted—

“(5) This section does not apply to—

(a) any expenses which are, in accordance with section 74(1) or (1B), 78(5) or 79(2) below, paid by the candidate;

(b) any expenses which are paid in accordance with section 74(3) below by a person authorised as mentioned in that provision;

(c) any expenses included in a declaration made by the election agent under section 74A below; or

(d) any expenses which are to be regarded as incurred by or on behalf of the candidate by virtue of section 90A(5)(b) below.”

(6) In subsection (6)—

(a) for “any payment, advance or deposit” there shall be substituted “any payment (of whatever nature)”; and

(b) the words from “, or pays” to “as mentioned above,” shall be omitted.

4 (1) Section 74 (candidate’s personal expenses, and petty expenses) shall be amended as follows.

(2) For the sidenote there shall be substituted “Expenses which may be paid otherwise than by election agent.”

(3) After subsection (1A) there shall be inserted—

“(1B) The candidate at an election may also pay any election expenses (other than expenses falling within subsection (1) above) which were incurred by him or on his behalf and in respect of which payment falls to be made before the date on which he appoints (or is deemed to have appointed) an election agent.”

(4) In subsection (2), for “personal expenses paid as mentioned above” there shall be substituted “expenses paid as mentioned in subsection (1) or (1B) above”.

(5) After subsection (4) there shall be inserted—

“(5) Sections 78 and 79 below do not apply to expenses which, in accordance with any provision of this section, are paid otherwise than by the candidate’s election agent.”

5 After section 74 there shall be inserted—

“74A Expenses incurred otherwise than for election purposes

(1) Neither section 73 above nor sections 78 and 79 below shall apply to election expenses—

(a) which are incurred by or on behalf of a candidate otherwise than for the purposes of the candidate’s election, but

(b) which by virtue of section 90A(1) below fall to be regarded as election expenses by reason of the property, services or facilities in respect of which they were incurred being used for the purposes of the candidate’s election.

(2) The candidate’s election agent shall make a declaration of the amount (determined in accordance with section 90B below) of any election expenses falling within subsection (1) above.

(3) In this section “for the purposes of the candidate’s election” has the same meaning as in sections 90A to 90C below.”

6 (1) Section 78 (time for sending in and paying claims) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In subsections (1) and (2) for “within” wherever it occurs there shall be substituted “not later than”.

Returns of election expenses

7 (1) Section 81 (return as to election expenses) shall be amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1) for the words from “in the form” onwards there shall be substituted “containing as respects that candidate—

(a) a statement of all election expenses incurred by or on behalf of the candidate; and

(b) a statement of all payments made by the election agent together with all bills or receipts relating to the payments.”

(3) For subsection (2) there shall be substituted—

“(2) A return under this section must—

(a) specify the poll by virtue of which the return is required;

(b) specify the name of the candidate to whom the return relates and of the candidate’s election agent; and

(c) deal under a separate heading with any expenses in respect of which a return is required by virtue of section 75(2) above.”

(4) In subsection (3)—

(a) for paragraph (a) there shall be substituted—

“(a) a statement of all payments made—

(i) by the candidate in accordance with section 74(1) or (1B) above, or

(ii) by any other person in accordance with section 74(3) above,

together with all bills or receipts relating to any such payments made in accordance with section 74(1B) or 74(3);”, and

(b) for paragraph (d) there shall be substituted—

“(d) any declarations of value falling to be made by the candidate’s election agent by virtue of section 74A(2) above or 90C(2) below;

(da) a declaration of the amount of expenses which are to be regarded as election expenses incurred by or on behalf of the candidate by virtue of section 90A(5)(b) below;

(e) a statement of donations made to the candidate or his election agent which complies with the requirements of paragraphs 11 and 12 of Schedule 2A to this Act; and

(f) a statement of the amount, if any, of money provided by the candidate from his own resources for the purpose of meeting election expenses incurred by him or on his behalf.”

(5) Subsection (4) shall be omitted.

(6) In subsection (7), the words from “; and” onwards shall be omitted.

(7) After subsection (10) there shall be inserted—

“(10A) The Electoral Commission may, by regulations, prescribe a form of return which may be used for the purposes of making any (or any description of) return required by this section.”

(8) Subsection (11) shall be omitted.

8 Section 82(4) (person before whom declaration as to elections expenses may be made) shall be omitted.

9 After section 87 there shall be inserted—

“87A Duty of appropriate officer to forward returns and declarations to Electoral Commission

(1) Where the appropriate officer receives any return or declaration under section 75, 81 or 82 above in respect of —

(a) a parliamentary election, or

(b) an election of the Mayor of London,

he shall as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the return or declaration deliver a copy of it to the Electoral Commission and, if so requested by the Commission, he shall also deliver to them a copy of any accompanying documents.

(2) Where the appropriate officer receives any return or declaration under section 75, 81 or 82 in respect of any election other than one mentioned in subsection (1) above, he shall, if so requested by the Electoral Commission, deliver to them a copy of the return and any accompanying documents.”

10 For section 89(1) (inspection of returns and declarations) there shall be substituted—

“(1) Where the appropriate officer receives any return or declaration under section 75, 81 or 82 above he shall—

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after receiving the return or declaration make a copy of it, and any accompanying documents, available for public inspection at his office, or some other convenient place chosen by him, for a period of two years beginning with the date when the return is received by him;

(b) if requested to do so by any person, and on payment of the prescribed fee, supply that person with a copy of the return or declaration and any accompanying documents.

(1A) If any such return contains a statement of donations in accordance with section 81(3)(e) above, the appropriate officer shall secure that the copy of the statement made available for public inspection under subsection (1)(a) above or (as the case may be) supplied under subsection (1)(b) above does not include, in the case of any donation by an individual, the donor’s address.”

11 In section 90 (election expenses at elections where election agent not required)—

(a) in subsection (1)(a), for “section 76(1) above has” there shall be substituted “section 76(1B) above and sections 90A(5) and 90C below have”;

(b) in subsection (1)(b), for “sections 72 to 75 and 78 to 89 above” there shall be substituted “sections 71A to 75 and 78 to 89 above, and Schedule 2A to this Act,”;

(c) for subsection (1)(c) there shall be substituted—

“(c) section 76A(2) has effect as if it referred, in substitution for the provisions set out in paragraphs (a) to (c) of that subsection, to paragraph 3 of Schedule 4 to this Act.”; and

(d) in subsection (2) for “sections 72 to 89” there shall be substituted “sections 71A to 89”.

Conveyance of voters to and from the poll

12 Sections 101 to 105 (conveyance of voters to and from the polls) shall be omitted.

Illegal practices, payments, employments and hirings

13 Section 108 (premises not to be used as committee rooms) shall be omitted.

14 For section 110 there shall be substituted—

“110 Details to appear on election publications

(1) This section applies to any material which can reasonably be regarded as intended to promote or procure the election of a candidate at an election (whether or not it can be so regarded as intended to achieve any other purpose as well).

(2) No material to which this section applies shall be published unless—

(a) in the case of material which is, or is contained in, such a document as is mentioned in subsection (4), (5) or (6) below, the requirements of that subsection are complied with; or

(b) in the case of any other material, any requirements falling to be complied with in relation to the material by virtue of regulations under subsection (7) below are complied with.

(3) For the purposes of subsections (4) to (6) below the following details are “the relevant details” in the case of any material falling within subsection (2)(a) above, namely—

(a) the name and address of the printer of the document;

(b) the name and address of the promoter of the material; and

(c) the name and address of any person on behalf of whom the material is being published (and who is not the promoter).

(4) Where the material is a document consisting (or consisting principally) of a single side of printed matter, the relevant details must appear on the face of the document.

(5) Where the material is a printed document other than one to which subsection (4) above applies, the relevant details must appear either on the first or the last page of the document.

(6) Where the material is an advertisement contained in a newspaper or periodical—

(a) the name and address of the printer of the newspaper or periodical must appear either on its first or last page; and

(b) the relevant details specified in subsection (3)(b) and (c) above must be included in the advertisement.

(7) The Secretary of State may, after consulting the Electoral Commission, by regulations make provision for and in connection with the imposition of requirements as to the inclusion in material falling within subsection (2)(b) above of the following details, namely—

(a) the name and address of the promoter of the material; and

(b) the name and address of any person on behalf of whom the material is being published (and who is not the promoter).

(8) Regulations under subsection (7) above may in particular specify—

(a) the manner and form in which such details must be included in any such material for the purpose of complying with any such requirement;

(b) circumstances in which—

(i) any such requirement does not have to be complied with by a person of any description specified in the regulations, or

(ii) a breach of any such requirement by a person of any description so specified is not to result in the commission of an offence under this section by that person or by a person of any other such description;

(c) circumstances in which material is, or is not, to be taken for the purposes of the regulations to be published or (as the case may be) published by a person of any description so specified.

(9) Where any material falling within subsection (2)(a) above is published in contravention of subsection (2), then (subject to subsections (11) and (12) below)—

(a) the promoter of the material,

(b) any other person by whom the material is so published, and

(c) the printer of the document,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(10) Where any material falling within subsection (2)(b) above is published in contravention of subsection (2), then (subject to regulations made by virtue of subsection (8)(b) above and to subsections (11) and (12) below)—

(a) the promoter of the material, and

(b) any other person by whom the material is so published,

shall be guilty of an offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

(11) It shall be a defence for a person charged with an offence under this section to prove—

(a) that the contravention of subsection (2) above arose from circumstances beyond his control; and

(b) that he took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that that contravention would not arise.

(12) Where a candidate or his election agent would (apart from this subsection) be guilty of an offence under subsection (9) or (10) above, he shall instead be guilty of an illegal practice.

(13) In this section—

• “print” means print by whatever means, and “printer” shall be construed accordingly;

• “the promoter”, in relation to any material to which this section applies, means the person causing the material to be published;

• “publish” means make available to the public at large, or any section of the public, in whatever form and by whatever means.

(14) For the purpose of determining whether any material is material such as is mentioned in subsection (1) above, it is immaterial that it does not expressly mention the name of any candidate.”

Election expenses

15 In section 118 (interpretation of Part II)—

(a) for the definition of “election expenses” there shall be substituted—

““election expenses”, in relation to an election, shall be construed in accordance with sections 90A to 90D above;”, and

(b) in the definition of “money”, for “sections 113 and 114 above” there shall be substituted “sections 71A, 113 and 114 above and Schedule 2A to this Act”.

16 In Schedule 3—

(a) the form of return, and

(b) in the form of declarations—

(i) in paragraph 3, the words “in relation to my [the candidate's] personal expenses”, and

(ii) paragraph 4,

shall be omitted.

17 In Schedule 4 (election expenses in connection with certain local elections), in paragraph 3, for “and receipts” there shall be substituted “or by receipts”.

Jurisdiction and procedure

18 (1) The following provisions shall be omitted—

(a) section 78(6);

(b) section 79(3);

(c) section 86(9);

(d) section 106(8);

(e) section 122(8);

(f) section 167(4); and

(g) section 174(6).

(2) For section 78(7) there shall be substituted—

“(7) Article 60 of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 (appeals from county courts) shall apply in relation to any order of a county court in Northern Ireland made by virtue of subsection (4) above as it applies in relation to any such decree of a county court as is mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.”

(3) For section 86(10) and (11) there shall be substituted—

“(10) Article 60 of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 (appeals from county courts) shall apply in relation to any order of a county court in Northern Ireland made by virtue of this section as it applies in relation to any such decree of a county court as is mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.”

(4) For section 106(9) there shall be substituted—

“(9) Article 60 of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 (appeals from county courts) shall apply in relation to any order of a county court in Northern Ireland made by virtue of subsection (3) above as it applies in relation to any such decree of a county court as is mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.”

(5) For section 167(5) there shall be substituted—

“(5) Article 60 of the County Courts (Northern Ireland) Order 1980 (appeals from county courts) shall apply in relation to any order of a county court in Northern Ireland made by virtue of this section as it applies in relation to any such decree of a county court as is mentioned in paragraph (1) of that Article.”

References to documents used in legal proceedings

19 (1) In section 69 (office of election agent and sub-agent)—

(a) in subsection (1), for “writs, summonses and” substitute “legal process and other”; and

(b) in subsection (3), for “writ, summons or” substitute “legal process or other”.

(2) In section 85(4) (penalty for sitting or voting where no return and declarations transmitted), for—

(a) “the writ or other process” (in both places), and

(b) “a writ or other process”,

substitute “legal process”.

(3) In section 121(5) (presentation and service of parliamentary election petition), for the words from “as nearly” to “such other” substitute “in such”.

(4) In section 136(2) (security for costs), in paragraphs (a) and (b), for “on summons, directs” substitute “directs on an application made by the petitioner”.

(5) In section 184(1) (service of notices), for “summons, notice or” substitute “notice, legal process or other”.

(6) In section 202(1) (general provisions as to interpretation), after the definition of “legal incapacity” insert—

““legal process” means a claim form, application notice, writ, summons or other process;”.

(7) In Schedule 4 (election expenses at certain local elections in England and Wales), in paragraph 4(3) (penalty for sitting or voting where no return and declarations transmitted), for “a writ or other process” substitute “legal process”.

Section 139.

SCHEDULE 19 Control of political donations by companies: new Part XA of Companies Act 1985

“Part XA Control of political donations

347A Introductory provisions

(1) This Part has effect for controlling—

(a) contributions and other donations made by companies to registered parties and other EU political organisations; and

(b) EU political expenditure incurred by companies.

(2) The following provisions have effect for the purposes of this Part, but subsections (4) and (7) have effect subject to section 347B.

(3) “Director” includes shadow director.

(4) “Donation”, in relation to an organisation, means anything that would constitute a donation for the purposes of Part IV of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in accordance with sections 50 to 52 of that Act (references in those sections to a registered party being read as applying equally to an organisation which is not such a party); and—

(a) subsections (3) to (8) of section 50 of that Act shall apply, with any necessary modifications, for the purpose of determining whether something is a donation to an organisation for the purposes of this Part as they apply for the purpose of determining whether something is a donation to a registered party for the purposes of Part IV of that Act; and

(b) section 53 of that Act shall similarly apply for the purpose of determining, for the purposes of this Part, the value of any donation.

(5) “EU political expenditure”, in relation to a company, means any expenditure incurred by the company—

(a) in respect of the preparation, publication or dissemination of any advertising or any other promotional or publicity material—

(i) of whatever nature, and

(ii) however published or otherwise disseminated,

which, at the time of publication or dissemination, is capable of being reasonably regarded as intended to affect public support for any EU political organisation, or

(b) in respect of any activities on the part of the company such as are mentioned in subsection (7)(b) or (c).

(6) “EU political organisation” means—

(a) a registered party; or

(b) any other organisation to which subsection (7) applies.

(7) This subsection applies to an organisation if—

(a) it is a political party which carries on, or proposes to carry on, activities for the purpose of or in connection with the participation of the party in any election or elections to public office held in a member State other than the United Kingdom;

(b) it carries on, or proposes to carry on, activities which are capable of being reasonably regarded as intended to affect public support for—

(i) any registered party,

(ii) any other political party within paragraph (a), or

(iii) independent candidates at any election or elections of the kind mentioned in that paragraph; or

(c) it carries on, or proposes to carry on, activities which are capable of being reasonably regarded as intended to influence voters in relation to any national or regional referendum held under the law of any member State.

(8) “Organisation” includes any body corporate and any combination of persons or other unincorporated association.

(9) “Registered party” means a party registered under Part II of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000.

(10) “The relevant time”, in relation to any donation or expenditure made or incurred by a company or subsidiary undertaking, means—

(a) the time when the donation or expenditure is made or incurred; or

(b) if earlier, the time when any contract is entered into by the company or undertaking in pursuance of which the donation or expenditure is made or incurred.

(11) “Subsidiary undertaking” has the same meaning as in Part VII.

347B Exemptions

(1) Section 347A(4) does not extend to a subscription paid to an EU trade association for membership of the association, and accordingly such a payment is not a donation to the association for the purposes of this Part.

(2) In subsection (1)—

• “EU trade association” means any organisation formed for the purpose of furthering the trade interests—

  (a)

  of its members, or

  (b)

  of persons represented by its members,

  which carries on its activities wholly or mainly in one or more of the member States;

• “subscription”, in relation to a trade association, does not include any payment to the association to the extent that it is made for the purpose of financing any particular activity of the association.

(3) Section 347A(7) does not apply to any all-party parliamentary group composed of members of one or both of the Houses of Parliament (or of such members and other persons), and accordingly any such group is not an EU political organisation for the purposes of this Part.

(4) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a company does not need to be authorised as mentioned in section 347C(1) or section 347D(2) or (3), and

(b) a subsidiary undertaking does not need to be authorised as mentioned in section 347E(2),

in connection with any donation or donations to any EU political organisation or organisations made in a particular qualifying period, except to the extent (if any) that the amount or aggregate amount of any such donation or donations made in that period exceeds £5,000.

(5) The restrictions imposed by sections 347C(1), 347D(2) and (3) and 347E(2) accordingly have effect subject to subsection (4); and, where a resolution is passed for the purposes of any of those provisions, any amount of donations in relation to which, by virtue of subsection (4), no authorisation is needed shall accordingly not count towards the sum specified in the resolution.

(6) In subsection (4) “qualifying period” means—

(a) the period of 12 months beginning with the relevant date for the company or (in the case of a subsidiary undertaking) the parent company; and

(b) each succeeding period of twelve months.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (6) the relevant date for a company is—

(a) if an annual general meeting of the company is held within the period of 12 months beginning with the date of the coming into force of this section, the date of that meeting; and

(b) otherwise, the date immediately following the end of that period.

(8) For the purposes of this Part—

(a) a company does not need to be authorised as mentioned in section 347C(1) or section 347D(2) or (3), and

(b) a subsidiary undertaking does not need to be authorised as mentioned in section 347E(2),

in connection with any EU political expenditure in relation to which an exemption is conferred on the company or (as the case may be) subsidiary undertaking by virtue of an order made by the Secretary of State by statutory instrument.

(9) The restrictions imposed by sections 347C(1), 347D(2) and (3) and 347E(2) accordingly have effect subject to subsection (8); and, where a resolution is passed for the purposes of any of those provisions, any amount of EU political expenditure in relation to which, by virtue of subsection (8), no authorisation is needed shall accordingly not count towards the sum specified in the resolution.

(10) An order under subsection (8) may confer an exemption for the purposes of that subsection in relation to—

(a) companies or subsidiary undertakings of any description or category specified in the order, or

(b) expenditure of any description or category so specified (whether framed by reference to goods, services or other matters in respect of which such expenditure is incurred or otherwise),

or both.

(11) An order shall not be made under subsection (8) unless a draft of the statutory instrument containing the order has been laid before and approved by each House of Parliament.

347C Prohibition on donations and political expenditure by companies

(1) A company must not—

(a) make any donation to any registered party or to any other EU political organisation, or

(b) incur any EU political expenditure,

unless the donation or expenditure is authorised by virtue of an approval resolution passed by the company in general meeting before the relevant time.

• This subsection has effect subject to section 347D(3).

(2) For the purposes of this section an approval resolution is a qualifying resolution which authorises the company to do either (or both) of the following, namely—

(a) make donations to EU political organisations not exceeding in total a sum specified in the resolution, or

(b) incur EU political expenditure not exceeding in total a sum so specified,

during the requisite period beginning with the date of the resolution.

(3) In subsection (2)—

(a) “qualifying resolution” means an ordinary resolution or, if the directors so determine or the articles so require—

(i) a special resolution, or

(ii) a resolution passed by any percentage of the members greater than that required for an ordinary resolution;

(b) “the requisite period” means four years or such shorter period as the directors may determine or the articles may require;

and the directors may make a determination for the purposes of paragraph (a) or (b) above except where any provision of the articles operates to prevent them from doing so.

(4) The resolution must be expressed in general terms conforming with subsection (2), and accordingly may not purport to authorise particular donations or expenditure.

(5) Where a company makes any donation or incurs any expenditure in contravention of subsection (1), no ratification or other approval made or given by the company or its members after the relevant time is capable of operating to nullify that contravention.

(6) Nothing in this section enables a company to be authorised to do anything that it could not lawfully do apart from this section.

347D Special rules for subsidiaries

(1) This section applies where a company is a subsidiary of another company (“the holding company”).

(2) Where the subsidiary is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company—

(a) it must not make any donation or incur any expenditure to which subsection (1) of section 347C applies unless the donation or expenditure is authorised by virtue of a subsidiary approval resolution passed by the holding company in general meeting before the relevant time; and

(b) this requirement applies in addition to that imposed by that subsection.

(3) Where the subsidiary is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company—

(a) it must not make any donation or incur any expenditure to which subsection (1) of section 347C applies unless the donation or expenditure is authorised by virtue of a subsidiary approval resolution passed by the holding company in general meeting before the relevant time; and

(b) this requirement applies in place of that imposed by that subsection.

(4) For the purposes of this section a subsidiary approval resolution is a qualifying resolution of the holding company which authorises the subsidiary to do either (or both) of the following, namely—

(a) make donations to EU political organisations not exceeding in total a sum specified in the resolution, or

(b) incur EU political expenditure not exceeding in total a sum so specified,

during the requisite period beginning with the date of the resolution.

(5) Subsection (3) of section 347C shall apply for the purposes of subsection (4) above as it applies for the purposes of subsection (2) of that section.

(6) The resolution must be expressed in general terms conforming with subsection (4), and accordingly may not purport to authorise particular donations or expenditure.

(7) The resolution may not relate to donations or expenditure by more than one subsidiary.

(8) Where a subsidiary makes any donation or incurs any expenditure in contravention of subsection (2) or (3), no ratification or other approval made or given by the holding company or its members after the relevant time is capable of operating to nullify that contravention.

(9) Nothing in this section enables a company to be authorised to do anything that it could not lawfully do apart from this section.

347E Special rule for parent company of non-GB subsidiary undertaking

(1) This section applies where a company (“the parent company”) has a subsidiary undertaking which is incorporated or otherwise established outside Great Britain.

(2) The parent company shall take all such steps as are reasonably open to it to secure that the subsidiary undertaking does not make any donation or incur any expenditure to which subsection (1) of section 347C applies except to the extent that the donation or expenditure is authorised by virtue of a subsidiary approval resolution passed by the parent company in general meeting before the relevant time.

(3) For the purposes of this section a subsidiary approval resolution is a qualifying resolution of the parent company which authorises the subsidiary undertaking to do either (or both) of the following, namely—

(a) make donations to EU political organisations not exceeding in total a sum specified in the resolution, or

(b) incur EU political expenditure not exceeding in total a sum so specified,

during the requisite period beginning with the date of the resolution.

(4) Subsection (3) of section 347C shall apply for the purposes of subsection (3) above as it applies for the purposes of subsection (2) of that section.

(5) The resolution must be expressed in general terms conforming with subsection (3), and accordingly may not purport to authorise particular donations or expenditure.

(6) The resolution may not relate to donations or expenditure by more than one subsidiary undertaking.

(7) Where a subsidiary undertaking makes any donation or incurs any expenditure which (to any extent) is not authorised as mentioned in subsection (2), no ratification or other approval made or given by the parent company or its members after the relevant time is capable of operating to authorise that donation or expenditure.

347F Remedies for breach of prohibitions on company donations etc

(1) This section applies where a company has made any donation or incurred any expenditure in contravention of any of the provisions of sections 347C and 347D.

(2) Every person who was a director of the company at the relevant time is liable to pay the company—

(a) the amount of the donation or expenditure made or incurred in contravention of the provisions in question; and

(b) damages in respect of any loss or damage sustained by the company as a result of the donation or expenditure having been made or incurred in contravention of those provisions.

(3) Every such person is also liable to pay the company interest on the amount mentioned in subsection (2)(a) in respect of the period—

(a) beginning with the date when the donation or expenditure was made or incurred, and

(b) ending with the date when that amount is paid to the company by any such person;

and such interest shall be payable at such rate as the Secretary of State may prescribe by regulations.

(4) Where two or more persons are subject to a particular liability arising by virtue of any provision of this section, each of those persons is jointly and severally liable.

(5) Where only part of any donation or expenditure was made or incurred in contravention of any of the provisions of sections 347C and 347D, this section applies only to so much of it as was so made or incurred.

(6) Where—

(a) this section applies as mentioned in subsection (1), and

(b) the company in question is a subsidiary of another company (“the holding company”),

then (subject to subsection (7)) subsections (2) to (5) shall, in connection with the donation or expenditure made or incurred by the subsidiary, apply in relation to the holding company as they apply in relation to the subsidiary.

(7) Those subsections do not apply in relation to the holding company if—

(a) the subsidiary is not a wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company; and

(b) the donation or expenditure was authorised by such a resolution of the holding company as is mentioned in section 347D(2)(a).

(8) Nothing in section 727 shall apply in relation to any liability of any person arising under this section.

347G Remedy for unauthorised donation or expenditure by non-GB subsidiary

(1) This section applies where—

(a) a company (“the parent company”) has a subsidiary undertaking falling within subsection (1) of section 347E;

(b) the subsidiary undertaking has made any donation or incurred any expenditure to which subsection (1) of section 347C applies; and

(c) the parent company has, in relation to that donation or expenditure, failed to discharge its duty under subsection (2) of section 347E to take all such steps as are mentioned in that subsection.

(2) Subsections (2) to (4) of section 347F shall, in connection with the donation or expenditure made or incurred by the subsidiary undertaking, apply in relation to the holding company as if—

(a) it were a company falling within subsection (1) of that section, and

(b) the donation or expenditure had been made or incurred by it in contravention of section 347C or 347D.

(3) Where only part of the donation or expenditure was not authorised as mentioned in section 347E(2), those subsections shall so apply only to that part of it.

(4) Section 347F(8) applies to any liability of any person arising under section 347F by virtue of this section.

347H Exemption of directors from liability in respect of unauthorised donation or expenditure

(1) Where proceedings are brought against a director or former director of a company in respect of any liability arising under section 347F(2)(a) in connection with a donation or expenditure made or incurred by the company, it shall be a defence for that person to show that—

(a) the unauthorised amount has been repaid to the company, together with any interest on that amount due under section 347F(3);

(b) that repayment has been approved by the company in general meeting; and

(c) in the notice of the relevant resolution submitted to that meeting full disclosure was made—

(i) of the circumstances in which the donation or expenditure was made or incurred in contravention of section 347C or 347D, and

(ii) of the circumstances in which, and the person or persons by whom, the repayment was made.

(2) Where proceedings are brought against a director or former director of a holding company in respect of any liability arising under section 347F(2)(a) in connection with a donation or expenditure made or incurred by a subsidiary of the company, it shall be a defence for that person to show that—

(a) the unauthorised amount has been repaid either to the subsidiary or to the holding company, together with any interest on that amount due under section 347F(3);

(b) that repayment has been approved—

(i) (if made to the subsidiary) by both the subsidiary and the holding company in general meeting, or

(ii) (if made to the holding company) by the holding company in general meeting; and

(c) in the notice of the relevant resolution submitted to each of those meetings or (as the case may be) to that meeting, full disclosure was made—

(i) of the circumstances in which the donation or expenditure was made in contravention of section 347D, and

(ii) of the circumstances in which, and the person or persons by whom, the repayment was made.

(3) If the subsidiary is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the holding company, it is not necessary for the purposes of subsection (2) to show (where the repayment was made to the subsidiary) that the repayment has been approved by the subsidiary, and paragraphs (b) and (c) of that subsection shall apply accordingly.

(4) Where proceedings are brought against a director or former director of a holding company in respect of any liability arising under section 347F(2)(a) in connection with a donation or expenditure made or incurred by a subsidiary of the company which is not a wholly-owned subsidiary, then (subject to subsection (5)) it shall be a defence for that person to show that—

(a) proceedings have been instituted by the subsidiary against all or any of its directors in respect of the unauthorised amount; and

(b) those proceedings are being pursued with due diligence by the subsidiary.

(5) A person may not avail himself of the defence provided by subsection (4) except with the leave of the court; and on an application for leave under this subsection the court may make such order as it thinks fit, including an order adjourning, or sanctioning the continuation of, the proceedings against the applicant on such terms and conditions as it thinks fit.

(6) Where proceedings are brought against a director or former director of a company in respect of any liability arising under section 347F(2)(a) (as applied by virtue of section 347G) in connection with a donation or expenditure made or incurred by a subsidiary undertaking of the company, it shall be a defence for that person to show that—

(a) the unauthorised amount has been repaid to the subsidiary undertaking, together with any interest on that amount due under section 347F(3) (as so applied);

(b) that repayment has been approved by the company in general meeting; and

(c) in the notice of the relevant resolution submitted to that meeting full disclosure was made—

(i) of the circumstances in which the donation or expenditure was made without having been authorised as mentioned in section 347E(2), and

(ii) of the circumstances in which, and the person or persons by whom, the repayment was made.

(7) In this section “the unauthorised amount”, in relation to any donation or expenditure, means the amount of the donation or expenditure—

(a) which was made or incurred in contravention of section 347C or 347D, or

(b) which was not authorised as mentioned in section 347E(2),

as the case may be.

347I Enforcement of directors' liabilities by shareholder action

(1) Any liability of any person under section 347F or 347G as a director or former director of a company is (in addition to being enforceable by proceedings brought by the company) enforceable by proceedings brought under this section in the name of the company by an authorised group of members of the company.

(2) For the purposes of this section “authorised group”, in relation to the members of a company, means any such combination of members as is specified in section 54(2)(a), (b) or (c).

(3) An authorised group of members of a company may not bring proceedings under this section unless—

(a) the group has given written notice to the company stating—

(i) the cause of action and a summary of the facts on which the proceedings are to be based,

(ii) the names and addresses of the members of the company comprising the group, and

(iii) the grounds on which it is alleged that those members constitute an authorised group; and

(b) not less than 28 days have elapsed between the date of the giving of the notice to the company and the institution of the proceedings.

(4) Where such a notice is given to a company, any director may apply to the court within the period of 28 days beginning with the date of the giving of the notice for an order directing that the proposed proceedings are not to be instituted.

(5) An application under subsection (4) may be made on one or more of the following grounds—

(a) that the unauthorised amount within the meaning of section 347H has been repaid to the company or subsidiary undertaking as mentioned in subsection (1), (2), (4) or (6) of that section (as the case may be) and the other conditions mentioned in that subsection were satisfied with respect to that repayment;

(b) that proceedings to enforce the liability have been instituted by the company and are being pursued with due diligence by the company;

(c) that the members proposing to institute proceedings under this section do not constitute an authorised group.

(6) Where such an application is made on the ground mentioned in subsection (5)(b), the court may make such order as it thinks fit; and such an order may, as an alternative to directing that the proposed proceedings under this section are not to be instituted, direct—

(a) that those proceedings may be instituted on such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit;

(b) that the proceedings instituted by the company are to be discontinued;

(c) that the proceedings instituted by the company may be continued on such terms and conditions as the court thinks fit.

(7) If proceedings are brought under this section by an authorised group of members of a company, the group shall owe the same duties to the company in relation to the bringing of those proceedings on behalf of the company as would be owed by the directors of the company if the proceedings were being brought by the company itself; but no proceedings to enforce any duty owed by virtue of this subsection shall be brought by the company except with the leave of the court.

(8) Proceedings brought under this section may not be discontinued or settled by the group except with the leave of the court; and the court may grant leave under this subsection on such terms as it thinks fit.

347J Costs of shareholder action

(1) This section applies in relation to proceedings brought under section 347I by an authorised group of members of a company (“the group”).

(2) The group may apply to the court for an order directing the company to indemnify the group in respect of costs incurred or to be incurred by the group in connection with the proceedings; and on such an application the court may make such an order on such terms as it thinks fit.

(3) The group shall not be entitled to be paid any such costs out of the assets of the company except by virtue of such an order.

(4) If—

(a) the company is awarded costs in connection with the proceedings or it is agreed that costs incurred by the company in connection with the proceedings should be paid by any defendant, and

(b) no order has been made with respect to the proceedings under subsection (2),

the costs shall be paid to the group.

(5) If—

(a) any defendant is awarded costs in connection with the proceedings or it is agreed that any defendant should be paid costs incurred by him in connection with the proceedings, and

(b) no order has been made with respect to the proceedings under subsection (2),

the costs shall be paid by the group.

(6) In the application of this section to Scotland references to costs are to expenses and references to any defendant are to any defender.

347K Information for purposes of shareholder action

(1) Where any proceedings have been instituted under section 347I by an authorised group within the meaning of that section, the group is entitled to require the company to provide the group with all information relating to the subject matter of the proceedings which is in the company’s possession or under its control or which is reasonably obtainable by it.

(2) If the company, having been required by the group to provide the information referred to in subsection (1), refuses to provide the group with all or any of the information, the court may, on an application made by the group, make an order directing—

(a) the company, and

(b) any of its officers or employees specified in the application,

to provide the group with the information in question in such form and by such means as the court may direct.”

Section 150.

SCHEDULE 20 Penalties

Provision creating offence	Penalty
Section 24(8) (registration as treasurer where convicted of certain offences)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 39 (false statements)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 43(7) (failure to deliver statement relating to auditor’s resignation etc)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 44(4) (making false statement to auditor)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 47(1)(a) (failure to deliver proper statement of accounts)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 47(1)(b) (failure to deliver accounts within time limits)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 54(7) (failure to provide information about donors)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 56(3) or (4) (failure to return donations)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 61(1) (facilitating the making of donations by impermissible donors)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 61(2)(a) (knowingly giving treasurer false information about donations)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 61(2)(b) (withholding information about donations from treasurer with intent to deceive)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 65(3) (failure to deliver donation reports to Commission within time limits)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 65(4) (failure to comply with requirements for recording donations in donation report)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 66(5) (making a false declaration about donation report)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 68(5) (failure to report multiple small donations; false declaration about such donations)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 73(8) (making a false declaration about value of property etc.)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 74(4) (acceptance by ineligible person of office of deputy treasurer)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 75(2) (incurring campaign expenditure without authority)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 76(4)(a) (making payments in respect of campaign expenditure without authority)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 76(4)(b) (failure to notify treasurer of payments in respect of campaign expenditure)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 77(3)(a) (paying claim in respect of campaign expenditure where failure to comply with procedure)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 77(3)(b) (paying claim in respect of campaign expenditure outside specified time period)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 79(2) (exceeding limits on campaign expenditure)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum
	On indictment : fine
Section 82(4)(a) (failure of treasurer to deliver return and auditor’s report to Commission)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 82(4)(b) (failure to comply with requirements for returns)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 82(4)(c) (failure of treasurer to deliver return and court order to Commission)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 83(3)(a) (making a false declaration to Commission when delivering return)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 83(3)(b) (failure to deliver signed declaration with return to Commission)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 86(8) (making false declaration about value of property etc)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 90(2) (incurring controlled expenditure without authority)	On summary conviction: level 5
Section 91(4)(a) (making payments in respect of controlled expenditure without authority)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 91(4)(b) (failure to notify responsible person of payments in respect of controlled expenditure)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 92(3)(a) (paying claim in respect of controlled expenditure where failure to comply with procedure)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 92(3)(b) (paying claim in respect of controlled expenditure outside specified time period)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 94(2) or (4) (exceeding limits on controlled expenditure)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum
	On indictment : fine
Section 98(4)(a) (failure of responsible person to deliver return and auditor’s report to Commission)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 98(4)(b) (failure to comply with requirements for returns)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 98(4)(c) (failure to deliver return and court order to Commission)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 99(4)(a) (making a false declaration to Commission when delivering return)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 99(4)(b) (failure to deliver signed declaration with return to Commission)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 112(8) (making a false declaration about value of property etc)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 113(2) (incurring referendum expenses without authority)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 114(4)(a) (making payments in respect of referendum expenses without authority)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 114(4)(b) (failure to notify responsible person of payments in respect of referendum expenses)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 115(3)(a) (paying claim in respect of referendum expenses where failure to comply with procedure)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 115(3)(b) (paying claim in respect of referendum expenses outside specified time period)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 117(2) (individual (other than permitted participant) exceeding limits on referendum expenses)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 117(3) or (4) (body (other than permitted participant) exceeding limits on referendum expenses)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 118(2) (permitted participant exceeding limits on referendum expenses)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum
	On indictment : fine
Section 122(4)(a) (failure to deliver return and auditor’s report to Commission)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 122(4)(b) (failure to comply with requirements for returns)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 122(4)(c) (failure to deliver return and court order to Commission)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 123(4)(a) (making a false declaration to Commission when delivering return)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 123(4)(b) (failure to deliver signed declaration with return to Commission)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 126(8) or (9) (printing or publishing referendum material without details of printer or publisher)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 143(8) or (9) (printing or publishing election material without details of printer or publisher)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 146(5) (failure to comply with supervision requirement)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 146(6) (intentional obstruction of person exercising right of entry etc.)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 148(1) (alteration of documents etc.)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 148(2)(a) (failure to supply relevant person with information)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Section 148(2)(b) (supplying relevant person with false information)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Section 148(3) (withholding information from relevant person with intent to deceive)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Paragraph 6(5) of Schedule 7 (failure to provide information about donors)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Paragraph 12(1) of Schedule 7 (failure to deliver donation report to Commission within time limit)	On summary conviction: Level 5
Paragraph 12(2) of Schedule 7 (failure to comply with requirements for recording donations in donation reports)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Paragraph 13(4) of Schedule 7 (making a false declaration about donation report)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Paragraph 14(5) of Schedule 7 (failure to report multiple small donations; false declaration about such donations)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Paragraph 6(7) of Schedule 11 (failure to provide information about donors)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months
	On indictment : fine or 1 year
Paragraph 6(8) of Schedule 15 (failure to provide information about donors)	On summary conviction: statutory maximum or 6 months: On indictment : fine or 1 year

Section 158.

SCHEDULE 21 Minor and consequential amendments

Public Records Act 1958 (c. 51)

1 In Part II of the Table at the end of paragraph 3 of the First Schedule to the Public Records Act 1958 (establishments and organisations whose records are public records), insert at the appropriate place—

“Electoral Commission.”

Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (c. 13)

2 In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments etc. subject to investigation), insert at the appropriate place—

“Electoral Commission.”

House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 24)

3 In Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (offices disqualifying for membership)—

(a) in Part II (bodies of which all members are disqualified), insert at the appropriate place—

“The Electoral Commission.”; and

(b) in Part III (other disqualifying offices), insert at the appropriate places—

“Deputy Electoral Commissioners.”,

“Assistant Electoral Commissioners.”, and

“Member of the staff of the Electoral Commission.”

Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (c. 25)

4 In Schedule 1 to the Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975 (offices disqualifying for membership)—

(a) in Part II (bodies of which all members are disqualified), insert at the appropriate place—

“The Electoral Commission.”; and

(b) in Part III (other disqualifying offices), insert at the appropriate places—

“Deputy Electoral Commissioners.”,

“Assistant Electoral Commissioners.”, and

“Member of the staff of the Electoral Commission.”

European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (c. 10)

5 (1) The European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (as amended by the [1999 c. 1] European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999) is amended as follows.

(2) In section 3(8)(a) (electoral system in Great Britain: meaning of “registered party”), 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 paragraph 2(3A)(a) of Schedule 1 (European Parliamentary elections), for “(including expenses incurred in relation to a general election as a whole)” substitute “of candidates”.

Representation of the People Act 1983 (c. 2)

6 (1) The Representation of the People Act 1983 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 18(5) (polling districts and places at parliamentary elections)—

(a) for “the Secretary of State”, wherever occurring, substitute “the Electoral Commission”; and

(b) for “he thinks fit” substitute “they think fit”.

(3) In section 29 (payments by and to returning officer), for subsections (3) to (9) substitute—

“(3) A returning officer shall be entitled to recover his charges in respect of services properly rendered, or expenses properly incurred, for or in connection with a parliamentary election if—

(a) the services or expenses are of a kind specified in regulations made by the Electoral Commission (“the Commission”) with the consent of the Treasury; and

(b) the charges are reasonable.

(4) Regulations under subsection (3) above may specify a maximum recoverable amount for services or expenses of any specified description and, subject to subsection (5) below, the returning officer may not recover more than that amount in respect of any such services or expenses.

(5) In a particular case the Commission may, with the consent of the Treasury, authorise the payment of more than the specified maximum amount for any specified services or expenses if satisfied—

(a) that it was reasonable for the returning officer concerned to render the services or incur the expenses; and

(b) that the charges in question are reasonable.

(6) Any regulations under subsection (3) above which specify a maximum amount for services or expenses of a particular description may provide for that amount to increase at prescribed dates, or after prescribed periods, by reference to such formula or other method of determination as may be specified in the regulations.

(7) The amount of any charges recoverable in accordance with this section shall be paid by the Commission on an account being submitted to them; but if the Commission think fit they may, before payment, apply for the account to be taxed under the provisions of section 30 below.

(8) Where the superannuation contributions required to be paid by a local authority in respect of any person are increased by any fee paid under this section as part of a returning officer’s charges at a parliamentary election, then on an account being submitted to the Commission a sum equal to the increase shall be paid to the authority by the Commission.

(9) On the returning officer’s request for an advance on account of his charges, the Commission may make such an advance on such terms as they think fit.

(10) The Commission may by regulations make provision as to the time when and the manner and form in which accounts are to be rendered to the Commission for the purposes of the payment of a returning officer’s charges.

(11) Any sums required by the Commission for making payments under this section shall be charged on and paid out of the Consolidated Fund.”

(4) In section 47(1) (loan of equipment for local elections), for “the Secretary of State” substitute “the Electoral Commission”.

(5) In section 52 (discharge of registration duties), after subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, the directions which may be given under subsection (1) include directions requiring a registration officer to maintain his registers in a specified electronic form; and any such directions may in particular specify—

(a) the software which is to be used in connection with the maintenance of the registers in that form;

(b) the standards in accordance with which that software is to be maintained and updated;

(c) how information required (by or under any enactment) to be included in the registers is to be recorded and stored in that form.”

(6) In section 175 (illegal payments etc.), for “illegal payment, employment or hiring”, wherever they occur, substitute “illegal payment or employment”.

(7) In section 201 (regulations)—

(a) in subsection (1), omit the words from “and except” to “section 29(8)”;

(b) in subsection (2), for “section 29(8)” substitute “section 110(7)”;

(c) after subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) Any regulations under section 110(7) above shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.”; and

(d) in subsection (3), after “the Secretary of State” insert “, or the Electoral Commission (in the case of any regulations made by them),”.

(8) In section 202(1) (general definitions), 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”.

(9) In Schedule 1 (parliamentary elections rules), at the end of rule 14 (publication of statement of persons nominated) insert—

“(5) The returning officer shall send to the Electoral Commission—

(a) a copy of the statement; and

(b) in the case of each candidate standing nominated in respect of whom a certificate has been received by the returning officer in accordance with rule 6A above, a copy of that certificate as well.”

Representation of the People Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1081) and Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 1986 (S.I. 1986/1111)

7 (1) In regulation 99 of the Representation of the People Regulations 1986 and in regulation 97 of the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 1986 (modification of provisions about expenses in the Act of 1983)—

(a) in paragraph (1), for “subsections (3), (4), (4A), (4B), (5), (7) and (8) of section 29” substitute “subsections (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (9) and (10) of section 29”; and

(b) in paragraph (3), for “the Secretary of State” substitute “the Electoral Commission”.

(2) The amendments made by sub-paragraph (1) shall not be taken to prejudice the power to make regulations varying or revoking the amended provisions.

Broadcasting Act 1990 (c. 42)

8 In sections 36(3) and 107(2) of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (party political broadcasts), for “but subject to section 14 of the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998 (prohibition of broadcasts by unregistered parties)” substitute “but subject to section 37 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (prohibition of broadcasts by unregistered parties)”.

Local Government Act 1992 (c. 19)

9 (1) Section 13 of the Local Government Act 1992 (duty of Local Government Commission for England to conduct reviews) is amended as follows.

(2) For subsections (1) and (1A) (duty to conduct reviews when directed to do so) substitute—

“(1) The Secretary of State may direct the Local Government Commission to conduct a review of such areas in England as are specified in the direction or are of a description so specified.

(1AA) A direction under subsection (1) above shall, in respect of each area to which it relates, specify which of the following kinds of changes, namely—

(a) structural changes,

(b) boundary changes, and

(c) electoral changes,

is or are to be considered in the review of that area.

(1A) Where the Secretary of State gives a direction under subsection (1) above requiring the Local Government Commission to conduct any review, the Local Government Commission shall conduct the review in accordance with this Part and any directions given under it and, in respect of each of the areas to which the direction relates, recommend in the case of each kind of changes required to be considered in the review of the area either—

(a) that the Secretary of State should make such changes of that kind as are specified in the recommendations; or

(b) that he should make no changes of that kind.”

(3) In subsection (1C) (interpretation of subsections (1A) and (1B))—

(a) for “subsections (1A) and (1B)” substitute “subsection (1B)”; and

(b) omit paragraph (b) and the “and” preceding it.

(4) Omit subsections (3) and (4) (timing of periodic reviews).

10 In section 14(8) of that Act (changes that may be recommended), for “section 13(1) above” substitute “section 13(1A) above”.

Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (c. 33)

11 In section 170 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 (security at party conferences), in subsection (5) for “the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998” substitute “the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000”.

Government of Wales Act 1998 (c. 38)

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.”

Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)

13 (1) The Scotland Act 1998 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 5(9) (candidates at general elections) for “the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998” substitute “Part II of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000”.

(3) In section 12(2)(c) (power to make provision about elections) omit “and registered political parties”.

Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)

14 (1) The Northern Ireland Act 1998 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 18(13)(a) (Northern Ireland Ministers) 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 Schedule 2 (excepted matters), for paragraph 13 substitute—

“13 The subject-matter of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 with the exception of Part IX (political donations etc. by companies).

• This paragraph does not include the funding of political parties for the purpose of assisting members of the Northern Ireland Assembly connected with such parties to perform their Assembly duties.”

Greater London Authority Act 1999 (c. 29)

15 In section 4(11) of the Greater London Authority Act 1999 (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”.

Representation of the People Act 2000 (c. 2)

16 (1) Section 10 of the Representation of the People Act 2000 (pilot schemes) is amended as follows.

(2) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) Subsection (1) applies to proposals falling within that subsection which are submitted by a relevant local authority jointly with the Electoral Commission as if in that subsection—

(a) the first reference to any such authority in paragraph (a), and

(b) the reference to the authority in paragraph (b)(ii),

were each a reference to the authority and the Commission; and, in a case where any such proposals are not jointly so submitted, the Secretary of State must consult the Commission before making an order under that subsection.”

(3) In subsection (5)(a), after “the authority concerned” insert “and to the Electoral Commission”.

(4) In subsection (6), for “the authority concerned” substitute “the Electoral Commission”.

(5) After subsection (6) insert—

“(6A) The report shall be prepared by the Electoral Commission in consultation with the authority concerned; and that authority shall provide the Commission with such assistance as they may reasonably require in connection with the preparation of the report (which may, in particular, include the making by the authority of arrangements for ascertaining the views of voters about the operation of the scheme).”

(6) In subsection (7), after “The report shall” insert “, in particular,”.

(7) For subsection (10) substitute—

“(10) Once the Electoral Commission have prepared the report, they shall send a copy of the report—

(a) to the Secretary of State, and

(b) to the authority concerned,

and that authority shall publish the report in their area, in such manner as they think fit, by the end of the period of three months beginning with the date of the declaration of the result of the elections in question.”

17 (1) Section 11 of that Act (revision of procedures in the light of pilot schemes) is amended as follows.

(2) At the end of subsection (1) insert—

• “The power of the Secretary of State to make such an order shall, however, be exercisable only on a recommendation of the Electoral Commission.”

(3) In subsection (4), for the words from “the report” onwards substitute “every report under section 10 which relates to a scheme making provision similar to that made by the order.”

Local Government Act 2000 (c. 22)

18 (1) The Local Government Act 2000 is amended as follows.

(2) In section 44 (conduct of elections of elected mayors or elected executive members), after subsection (3) insert—

“(3A) Before making any regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult the Electoral Commission.

(3B) In addition, the power of the Secretary of State to make regulations under this section so far as relating to matters mentioned in subsection (2)(c) shall be exercisable only on, and in accordance with, a recommendation of the Electoral Commission, except where the Secretary of State considers that it is expedient to exercise that power in consequence of changes in the value of money.”

(3) In section 45 (conduct of referendums under the Act), after subsection (8) insert—

“(8A) Before making any regulations under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult the Electoral Commission, but this subsection does not apply to—

(a) provisions which specify the wording of the question to be asked in a referendum, or

(b) provisions for matters mentioned in subsection (8)(c).

(8B) No regulations which specify the wording of the question to be asked in a referendum may be made under subsection (5) unless—

(a) before laying a draft of the regulations before Parliament in accordance with section 105(6), the Secretary of State consulted the Electoral Commission as to the intelligibility of that question, and

(b) when so laying the draft, the Secretary of State also laid before each House a report stating any views as to the intelligibility of that question which were expressed by the Electoral Commission in response to that consultation.

(8C) Where any such regulations specify not only the question to be asked in a referendum but also any statement which is to precede that question on the ballot paper at the referendum, any reference in subsection (8B) to the intelligibility of that question is to be read as a reference to the intelligibility of that question and that statement taken together.

(8D) No regulations which make provision for the matters mentioned in subsection (8)(c) may be made under subsection (5) unless—

(a) before laying a draft of the regulations before Parliament in accordance with section 105(6), the Secretary of State sought, and had regard to, the views of the Electoral Commission as to the provision to be made by the regulations as to those matters, and

(b) where the draft regulations laid before Parliament made provision as to those matters otherwise than in accordance with the views of the Electoral Commission, the Secretary of State, when so laying the draft, also laid before each House a statement of his reasons for departing from the views of the Commission.”

(4) In section 45(9), after “(8)” insert “to (8C)”.

Section 158.

SCHEDULE 22 Repeals

Chapter	Short title	Extent of repeal
1975 c. 24.	House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975.	In Part III of Schedule 1, the entry relating to Boundary Commissioners and assistant Commissioners appointed under Schedule 1 to the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.
1975 c. 25.	Northern Ireland Assembly Disqualification Act 1975.	In Part III of Schedule 1, the entry relating to Boundary Commissioners and Assistant Boundary Commissioners appointed under Schedule 1 to the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.
1983 c. 2.	Representation of the People Act 1983.	Section 72.
		In section 73, subsection (4), and in subsection (6) the words from “, or pays” to “as mentioned above,”.
		Section 75(1B) and (1C).
		Section 78(6).
		Section 79(3).
		In section 81, subsection (4), in subsection (7) the words from “; and” onwards, and subsection (11).
		Section 82(4).
		Section 86(9).
		Sections 101 to 105.
		Section 106(8).
		Section 108.
		Section 122(8).
		In section 138(1), the words from “, a copy of which” onwards.
		Sections 148 to 153.
		Section 157(5).
		Section 159(2).
		Section 167(4).
		Section 174(6).
		In section 201(1), the words from “and except” to “section 29(8)”.
		In Schedule 1, in rule 30(5), the words from the beginning to “agents, and”.
		In Schedule 3— (a) the form of return, and (b) in the form of declarations, the words in paragraph 3 “in relation to my [the candidate's] personal expenses” and paragraph 4.
1985 c. 50.	Representation of the People Act 1985.	Section 14(3) to (5).
		In Schedule 3, paragraphs 6 and 7.
		In Schedule 4, paragraph 35.
1986 c. 56.	Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986.	Section 2.
		Section 4(2).
		Schedule 1.
		In Schedule 2, in paragraph 8, the words “for which there is a Boundary Commission”.
1989 c. 28.	Representation of the People Act 1989.	Section 6(1)(b) and (2).
1991 c. 11.	Representation of the People Act 1991.	The whole Act.
1992 c. 19.	Local Government Act 1992.	In section 13(1C), paragraph (b) and the “and” preceding it.
		Section 13(3) and (4).
1992 c. 55.	Boundary Commissions Act 1992.	Section 1.
		Section 2(1) to (3).
		Section 3(2) and (3).
1996 c. 55.	Broadcasting Act 1996.	In Schedule 10, paragraph 29, and in paragraph 30 “or 29”.
1998 c. 38.	Government of Wales Act 1998.	In section 11(2)(c), the words “and registered political parties”.
1998 c. 46.	Scotland Act 1998.	In section 12(2)(c), the words “and registered political parties”.
1998 c. 48.	Registration of Political Parties Act 1998.	The whole Act, except for sections 13, 15, 24 and 26 and Schedule 2.
1999 c. 29.	Greater London Authority Act 1999.	In Schedule 3, paragraphs 16, 19(4), 21, 24(5), 28, 31 and 35.
2000 c. 2.	Representation of the People Act 2000.	In Schedule 6, paragraph 4.

Section 163.

SCHEDULE 23 Transitional provisions

Part I Transfer of registration of existing registered parties

Interpretation of Part I

1 In this Part of this Schedule—

• “the 1998 Act” means the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998;

• “the appointed day” means the appointed day for the purposes of Part II of this Act;

• “the compliance period” means the period of six weeks beginning with the initial date;

• “emblem”, in relation to a party, means an emblem to be used by the party on ballot papers;

• “the initial date” means the date falling 14 days after the day on which this Act is passed;

• “the new registers” means the Great Britain register and the Northern Ireland register.

Declaration for purposes of section 28

2 (1) This paragraph applies to any party registered under the 1998 Act on the initial date.

(2) Subject to sub-paragraph (7), the party must within the compliance period send to the Commission a declaration falling within section 28(2).

(3) In connection with any such declaration, any reference in section 28(2) or (3) to a party’s applying to be registered shall have effect in relation to the party making the declaration as a reference to its seeking to be registered under Part II of this Act in accordance with paragraph 4(2).

(4) Where the party sends the Commission a declaration falling within section 28(2)(a), the party must at the same time send to them, with a view to the registration in the Northern Ireland register of a separate Northern Ireland party—

(a) such information as would, by virtue of Schedule 1 to the 1998 Act, be required to be provided in connection with an application by the Northern Ireland party to be registered under that Act;

(b) a notification as to whether the party wishes to be registered in the Northern Ireland register under its existing registered name or under that name with an addition permitted by sub-paragraph (5); and

(c) a notification as to whether the party wishes—

(i) any emblem or emblems already registered in respect of it under the 1998 Act to be registered in respect of the Northern Ireland party in that register,

(ii) any emblem or emblems not so registered under the 1998 Act, but shown in the notification, to be registered in respect of the Northern Ireland party in that register (whether in addition to any emblem or emblems falling within sub-paragraph (i) or otherwise).

(5) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)(b) any one of the following, namely “Northern Ireland”, “Northern Irish”, “Ulster”, “Ireland” or “Irish” may be added to a party’s existing registered name, at such point as the party may specify in its notification.

(6) For the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)(c) the total number of emblems whose registration may be sought in a notification under that provision is three.

(7) If the party within the compliance period sends to the Commission a declaration that the party does not intend to contest any relevant election on or after the appointed day—

(a) nothing in sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) or in paragraphs 3 to 5 shall have effect in relation to the party; and

(b) the party’s registration under the 1998 Act shall terminate on the appointed day.

(8) References to a party of any description in paragraph 3(1), 4(1) or 5(1) accordingly do not include a party falling within sub-paragraph (7).

Draft scheme for purposes of section 26

3 (1) This paragraph applies to any party registered under the 1998 Act on the initial date.

(2) The party must within the compliance period send to the Commission—

(a) a copy of the party’s constitution (within the meaning of section 26); and

(b) a draft of the scheme which the party proposes to adopt for the purposes of section 26 if approved by the Commission under that section;

and subsections (2) to (6) of that section shall apply in connection with any such scheme and its approval by the Commission.

(3) The party must also within the compliance period give a notification to the Commission under this sub-paragraph.

(4) A notification under sub-paragraph (3) must—

(a) give the name and home address—

(i) of a person to be registered under Part II of this Act as the party’s treasurer; and

(ii) (if the party is seeking to be so registered as a party with a campaigns officer) of a person to be registered as that officer; and

(b) be signed by the person registered under the 1998 Act as leader or nominating officer of the party and by the proposed registered treasurer mentioned in paragraph (a) and (if paragraph (a)(ii) applies) by the proposed campaigns officer.

(5) Where the party would on registration under Part II of this Act be a party with accounting units, a notification under sub-paragraph (3) must also give in relation to each accounting unit—

(a) the name of the accounting unit and of its treasurer and of an officer of the unit to be registered for the purposes of section 27(3), and

(b) the address of its headquarters or, if it has no headquarters, an address to which communications to the accounting unit may be sent.

(6) A notification under sub-paragraph (3) may be signed by the same person in his capacity as registered leader or nominating officer and in his capacity as proposed registered treasurer, but in that case it must be apparent from the notification that he is signing it in both of those capacities.

(7) Where the party sends the Commission a declaration falling within section 28(2)(a), the provisions of sub-paragraphs (2) to (6) shall be read as applying separately in relation to—

(a) the party to be registered in the Great Britain register, and

(b) the party to be registered in the Northern Ireland register.

Registration under Part II of this Act as from appointed day

4 (1) This paragraph applies where a party registered under the 1998 Act has complied with the provisions of paragraphs 2 and 3 so far as applicable to the party.

(2) The Commission shall secure that, as from the appointed day, one (or each) of the new registers contains such entry in respect of the party (or the two parties mentioned in paragraph 3(7)) as the Commission consider appropriate to reflect—

(a) the party’s existing entry in the register maintained under the 1998 Act and the date when the party was first registered under that Act;

(b) the declaration sent to the Commission by the party in pursuance of paragraph 2(2);

(c) any information or notification sent to them in pursuance of paragraph 2(4); and

(d) the notification given to them in pursuance of paragraph 3(3).

(3) In connection with the registration in the Northern Ireland register (in accordance with sub-paragraph (2)) of any emblem shown in a notification by a party in pursuance of paragraph 2(4)(c)(ii)—

(a) section 29(2) shall apply (with any necessary modifications) as it applies in connection with the registration of any emblem in pursuance of a request under section 29, but

(b) for this purpose any emblem which on the initial date is registered under the 1998 Act in respect of any other party (except one falling within paragraph 2(7)) shall be treated as if it were already registered in the Northern Ireland register.

(4) As from the appointed day the draft scheme sent to the Commission in pursuance of paragraph 3(2) shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it were a scheme approved by the Commission and adopted by the party under section 26 until—

(a) such time as the scheme, or any revised scheme submitted under subsection (6) of that section, is in fact approved by the Commission under that section, or

(b) the end of the period of nine months beginning immediately after the end of the compliance period (or such longer period as the Commission may determine in relation to the party),

whichever is the earlier.

(5) If the draft scheme, or any such revised scheme, has not been so approved by the end of the period which applies for the purposes of sub-paragraph (4)(b)—

(a) the Commission shall forthwith send the party a copy of the scheme incorporating such modifications as the Commission consider appropriate; and

(b) the scheme, as so modified, shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it had been approved by the Commission, and adopted by the party, under section 26.

(6) Section 30(1)(e) shall apply in relation to a party registered in accordance with sub-paragraph (2) as if the reference to the time when the party applied for registration were a reference to the appointed day.

Failure to comply with paragraph 2 or 3

5 (1) This paragraph applies where a party registered under the 1998 Act on the initial date fails to send or give to the Commission by the end of the compliance period one or more of the following things, namely—

(a) any declaration required under paragraph 2(2);

(b) any information or notification required under paragraph 2(4);

(c) any document required under paragraph 3(2);

(d) any notification required under paragraph 3(3).

(2) In this paragraph—

(a) “the outstanding material” means the thing or things which as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) was or were not sent or given to the Commission by the end of the compliance period;

(b) “the transitional period” means the period of three months beginning immediately after the end of the compliance period;

(c) “the protected period” means the period beginning with the appointed day and ending—

(i) at the end of the transitional period, or

(ii) in a case where sub-paragraph (4) applies, on the date determined by the Commission under that sub-paragraph.

(3) During so much of the transitional period as falls before the appointed day, the party shall be treated for all purposes relating to elections or referendums as if it were not registered under the 1998 Act; and on that day the party’s registration under that Act shall terminate without being replaced by any such registration under Part II of this Act as is mentioned in paragraph 4(2).

(4) However, if the Commission receive the outstanding material before the end of the transitional period, paragraph 4(2) shall have effect so as to require the Commission to secure that any such entry as is mentioned in that provision is made in one (or each) of the new registers with effect from such date (not earlier than the appointed day) as they may determine.

(5) During the protected period sections 28(4) and 29(2) shall have effect as if—

(a) the name of the party registered under the 1998 Act on the initial date and any emblems so registered in respect of it were registered in respect of the party in each of the new registers, and

(b) any such registration in the Great Britain register was in respect of each of England, Scotland and Wales.

(6) In a case where sub-paragraph (4) applies—

(a) section 26(5) and (6) shall apply in connection with the approval of the party’s draft scheme by the Commission; and

(b) paragraph 4(4) and (5) above shall also so apply, except that in paragraph 4(4)(b) the reference to nine months beginning immediately after the end of the compliance period shall be read as a reference to six months beginning immediately after the end of the protected period.

Exercise of functions by person appointed as Commission’s chief executive

6 In relation to any time when the functions of the Commission with respect to the receipt of documents or information falling to be sent or given to the Commission under this Schedule are being exercised by a person appointed as the Commission’s chief executive under paragraph 11(9) of Schedule 1, references in this Schedule to the Commission, in the context of the sending or giving of such documents or information to them, shall be construed as references to the person so appointed.

Termination of registration functions of registrar of companies

7 (1) The registration functions of the registrar under the 1998 Act shall terminate on the initial date.

(2) Accordingly, as from that date, the registrar shall not—

(a) make any new entry in his register, or

(b) alter or remove any entry already contained in his register,

and no application or notice may be made or given to him under any provision of that Act.

(3) Where an application has been made to the registrar under any such provision before the initial date and the application has not been determined by that date, the registrar shall not take any steps (or, as the case may be, any further steps) on or after that date to deal with the application.

(4) Nothing in section 7 of the 1998 Act shall apply at any time on or after the initial date in relation to a party registered under that Act; and in particular a party’s registration under that Act shall not lapse at any such time by virtue of that section.

(5) The registrar shall provide the Commission with such information and assistance as they reasonably require for the purpose of discharging their duty under paragraph 4(2); and where any information relating to a party registered under the 1998 Act—

(a) is held by the registrar in connection with the registration of the party under that Act, but

(b) is not contained in the party’s entry in his register,

the registrar shall provide the Commission with that information in order that it may be held by them, as from the appointed day, in connection with the registration of the party in one or other of the new registers.

(6) In this paragraph “the registrar” means the registrar of companies (within the meaning of Part II of this Act), and any reference to “his” register is a reference to the register maintained by the registrar under the 1998 Act.

Part II Other transitional provisions

Appointment of Electoral Commissioners

8 For the purposes of section 3(2)—

(a) any agreement to a proposed motion for an Address under section 3(1) which has been signified by the Speaker of the House of Commons before the day on which this Act is passed shall be as effective as if signified on or after that day; and

(b) any consultation with respect to such a motion which has been carried out before that day with such a person as is mentioned in section 3(2)(b) shall be as effective as if carried out on or after that day.

Orders specifying organisations which are not to count as accounting units

9 The requirement in section 26(8)(c) for any order under that provision to be made on the recommendation of the Commission shall not apply in relation to any such order which is made before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

Orders prohibiting use of certain words in parties' registered names

10 The requirement in section 28(4)(f) for any order under that provision to be made after consultation with the Commission shall not apply in relation to any such order which is made before the end of the period of three months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.

Confirmation of registered particulars

11 (1) This paragraph applies to a party which is registered under Part II of this Act at the end of the period of nine months beginning with the appointed day.

(2) The treasurer of the party shall deliver to the Commission a notification which—

(a) complies with the requirements of section 32(2) and (3) (as modified by sub-paragraphs (3) and (4)), and

(b) is accompanied by any fee prescribed by order made by the Secretary of State,

within the period beginning one month before and ending three months after the first anniversary of the appointed day.

(3) In the application of section 32(2)(a) in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), the reference to the relevant time shall be read as a reference to the time when the party applied for registration or, in the case of a party registered by virtue of paragraph 4(2), the appointed day.

(4) In the application of section 32(3) in accordance with sub-paragraph (2), the reference to the relevant time shall be read as a reference to the time when the party applied for registration or, in the case of a party registered by virtue of paragraph 4(2), the time when the documents required under paragraph 3(2) were sent to the Commission.

(5) If the notification required by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) is not delivered before the end of the period mentioned in that sub-paragraph, the person who was the treasurer of the party immediately before the end of that period shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to the same punishment as if he were guilty of an offence under section 47(1)(b).

(6) It is a defence for a person charged with an offence under sub-paragraph (5) to prove that he took all reasonable steps, and exercised all due diligence, to ensure that the notification required by virtue of sub-paragraph (2) would be delivered before the end of the period mentioned in that sub-paragraph.

(7) Any notification delivered under sub-paragraph (2) shall be treated, for the purposes of section 32(4)(b), as a notification given under section 32.

(8) In this paragraph “the appointed day” means the appointed day for the purposes of Part II of this Act.

Control of political donations by companies

12 (1) The provisions of Part XA of the Companies Act 1985 inserted by section 139(1) of this Act shall not apply to a company (within the meaning of that Act) in relation to any time falling before the relevant date for the company.

(2) For the purposes of this paragraph the relevant date for a company is—

(a) if an annual general meeting of the company is held within the first commencement year, the date of that meeting; and

(b) otherwise, the date immediately following the end of that year.

(3) In sub-paragraph (2) “the first commencement year” means the period of 12 months beginning with the date of the commencement of section 139(1).

Disclosure of political donations and expenditure in directors' report

13 The provisions of Schedule 7 to the Companies Act 1985 substituted by section 140 of this Act shall, in the case of any company (within the meaning of that Act), apply only in relation to directors' reports for financial years beginning on or after the first anniversary of the date which is the relevant date for the company for the purposes of paragraph 12.