Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000

104 Referendum questions

(1) Subsection (2) applies where a Bill is introduced into Parliament which—

(a) provides for the holding of a poll that would be a referendum to which this Part applies, and

(b) specifies the wording of the referendum question.

(2) The Commission shall consider the wording of the referendum question, and shall publish a statement of any views of the Commission as to the intelligibility of that question—

(a) as soon as reasonably practicable after the Bill is introduced, and

(b) in such manner as they may determine.

(3) Subsections (4) and (5) apply where the wording of the referendum question in the case of any poll that would be a referendum to which this Part applies falls to be specified in subordinate legislation within the meaning of the [1978 c. 30.] Interpretation Act 1978.

(4) If a draft of the instrument in question is to be laid before Parliament for approval by each House, the Secretary of State—

(a) shall consult the Commission on the wording of the referendum question before any such draft is so laid, and

(b) shall, at the time when any such draft is so laid, lay before each House a report stating any views as to the intelligibility of that question which the Commission have expressed in response to that consultation.

(5) If the instrument in question is to be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament, the Secretary of State—

(a) shall consult the Commission on the wording of the referendum question before making the instrument; and

(b) shall, at the time when the instrument is laid before Parliament, lay before each House a report stating any views as to the intelligibility of that question which the Commission have expressed in response to that consultation.

(6) Where any Bill, draft instrument or instrument to which subsection (2), (4) or (5) applies specifies not only the referendum question but also any statement which is to precede that question on the ballot paper at the referendum, any reference in that subsection to the referendum question shall be read as a reference to that question and that statement taken together.

(7) In this section “the referendum question” means the question or questions to be included in the ballot paper at the referendum.