C3.—(1) A participating member may exercise an option in writing under this article not to be a participant in the Scheme.
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), the effective opt-out date in respect of a member is whatever date the Parliamentary corporation shall determine to be the earliest practicable date after that on which it receives from him written notice of the exercise of the option.
(3) If the Parliamentary corporation receives the written notice not more than three months after the date of the election at which the person was elected for the first time to membership of the Parliament, the effective opt-out date is the date of that election and any contributions deducted from him under article D1 since that election shall be repaid to him.
(4) A member of the Parliament who has exercised his right under paragraph (1) to opt out of the Scheme is referred to in this Order as “an opted-out member”.