9Piloting of changes to the annual canvass
(1)An order under section 7 may be made so as to have effect in relation to a specified period.
(2)An order which, by virtue of subsection (1), is to have effect in relation to a limited period is referred to in this section as a “pilot scheme”.
(3)The Minister may make a pilot scheme applying in relation to an area only if the registration officer for that area has—
(a)proposed the making of a pilot scheme in relation to that area, and
(b)agreed to any modifications made by the Minister to the proposal.
(4)Section 8 does not apply in relation to a pilot scheme.
(5)The provision that may be made in a pilot scheme by virtue of section 11(3) includes, in particular, provision in connection with the expiry of the specified period.
(6)A pilot scheme may be replaced by a further pilot scheme.
(7)If a pilot scheme is made, the Electoral Commission must—
(a)prepare a report on the pilot scheme, and
(b)by no later than a date to be specified in the pilot scheme, give a copy of the report to the Minister and to the registration officer for the area concerned (or the officer for each area concerned).
(8)The Electoral Commission’s report must contain—
(a)a description of the pilot scheme,
(b)an assessment of the extent to which the objective in section 8(2) was met in the area or areas concerned immediately before the specified period,
(c)an assessment of the extent to which the objective was met in the area or areas concerned during the specified period, and
(d)an assessment of the extent to which the scheme resulted in savings of time and costs, or the opposite.
(9)The Minister must publish the Electoral Commission’s report.
(10)A registration officer in Great Britain must comply with any request made by the Electoral Commission for information that it reasonably requires in connection with the preparation of a report under this section.