Part 3Advice of Electoral Commission
22Preparation and submission of advice
(1)
A direction given to the Electoral Commission under section 21 must specify the timetable in accordance with which any thing must be done in connection with the advice.
(2)
As soon as is reasonably practicable after receiving a direction the Electoral Commission must take such steps as they think sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the subject matter of the advice are informed of—
(a)
the direction;
(b)
the period specified in the timetable within which representations as to the subject matter must be made to them.
(3)
Before submitting their advice the Commission must—
(a)
take account of any representations made to them as mentioned in subsection (2)(b);
(b)
prepare draft advice;
(c)
take such steps as they think sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the advice are informed of the draft and of the period specified in the timetable within which representations as to the draft advice must be made to them;
(d)
deposit copies of the draft advice at the principal offices of every county council and district council in the region;
(e)
take account of representations made to them as mentioned in paragraph (c).
(4)
Not later than the date specified in the timetable for the submission of their advice the Commission must—
(a)
submit their advice to the Secretary of State;
(b)
take such steps as they think sufficient to secure that persons who may be interested in the advice are informed of it and of the period specified in the timetable within which it may be inspected;
(c)
deposit copies of the advice at the principal offices of every county council and district council in the region.
(5)
The copies deposited under subsections (3)(d) and (4)(c) must be kept available for inspection by members of the public at the offices concerned in accordance with the timetable.
(6)
If the region to which the advice relates includes the Isles of Scilly the copies must also be deposited under subsections (3)(d) and (4)(c) at the principal office of the Council of the Isles of Scilly, and subsection (5) applies accordingly.