Representation of Overseas Territories Bill.

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
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Representation of Overseas Territories Bill.

A
B I L L
TO
Provide for the representation of Gibraltar by a Member of Parliament, subject to limitations, and for limited representation of other overseas territories at the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; to include Gibraltar within a European parliamentary constituency; to confer upon Chief Ministers the right to petition the House of Commons at the bar of the House; to improve for elected members of the Legislative Councils access to and communications with Members of the House of Commons; and for related purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

Parliamentary representatives

Election of parliamentary representatives.     1. - (1) On the same day as a parliamentary election is held in the United Kingdom-

(a) registered electors in Gibraltar may vote in an election for a Member of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who shall be known as the Member of Parliament for Gibraltar; and

(b) registered electors in an overseas territory other than Gibraltar may vote in an election for a delegate to the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who shall be known as the Parliamentary Delegate for that territory.

    (2) Any vacancy for the position of a parliamentary representative occurring between general elections shall be filled in the same manner as a vacancy occurring in a parliamentary constituency in England or Wales.

    (3) In this Act references to parliamentary representatives are to be interpreted as if they were references to the Member of Parliament for Gibraltar and to the Parliamentary Delegates for overseas territories.

Entitlement of parliamentary representatives to take part in proceedings of the House of Commons.     2. The parliamentary representative for an overseas territory shall be entitled to take part only in those proceedings of the House which the Speaker certifies as-

(a) relating exclusively to that territory;

(b) relating to foreign affairs or defence; or

(c) materially affecting the interests of that territory,

but shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.

Representation of Gibraltar in the European Parliament

Representation of Gibraltar in the European Parliament.     3. - (1) When a European parliamentary election is held in the United Kingdom-

(a) Gibraltar shall be regarded as if it were situated within a European parliamentary electoral region in England; and

(b) electors registered in Gibraltar shall be entitled to vote accordingly.

    (2) The European parliamentary electoral region in England in which electors in Gibraltar shall be entitled to vote shall be nominated in regulations made by the Secretary of State which shall be subject to-

(a) the agreement of the Government of Gibraltar; and

(b) approval by affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament.

    (3) Regulations made under subsection (2) may also make provision for the administrative arrangements and rules governing the conduct of elections held under the provisions of subsection (1).

© Parliamentary copyright 2000
Prepared 15 June 2000

Representation of Overseas Territories Bill.

	A B I L L TO Provide for the representation of Gibraltar by a Member of Parliament, subject to limitations, and for limited representation of other overseas territories at the Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; to include Gibraltar within a European parliamentary constituency; to confer upon Chief Ministers the right to petition the House of Commons at the bar of the House; to improve for elected members of the Legislative Councils access to and communications with Members of the House of Commons; and for related purposes. BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
	Parliamentary representatives
Election of parliamentary representatives.	1. - (1) On the same day as a parliamentary election is held in the United Kingdom-
	(a) registered electors in Gibraltar may vote in an election for a Member of the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who shall be known as the Member of Parliament for Gibraltar; and
	(b) registered electors in an overseas territory other than Gibraltar may vote in an election for a delegate to the House of Commons of the Parliament of Great Britain and Northern Ireland who shall be known as the Parliamentary Delegate for that territory.
	(2) Any vacancy for the position of a parliamentary representative occurring between general elections shall be filled in the same manner as a vacancy occurring in a parliamentary constituency in England or Wales.
	(3) In this Act references to parliamentary representatives are to be interpreted as if they were references to the Member of Parliament for Gibraltar and to the Parliamentary Delegates for overseas territories.
Entitlement of parliamentary representatives to take part in proceedings of the House of Commons.	2. The parliamentary representative for an overseas territory shall be entitled to take part only in those proceedings of the House which the Speaker certifies as-
	(a) relating exclusively to that territory;
	(b) relating to foreign affairs or defence; or
	(c) materially affecting the interests of that territory,
	but shall not be entitled to vote on any matter.
	Representation of Gibraltar in the European Parliament
Representation of Gibraltar in the European Parliament.	3. - (1) When a European parliamentary election is held in the United Kingdom-
	(a) Gibraltar shall be regarded as if it were situated within a European parliamentary electoral region in England; and
	(b) electors registered in Gibraltar shall be entitled to vote accordingly.
	(2) The European parliamentary electoral region in England in which electors in Gibraltar shall be entitled to vote shall be nominated in regulations made by the Secretary of State which shall be subject to-
	(a) the agreement of the Government of Gibraltar; and
	(b) approval by affirmative resolution of both Houses of Parliament.
	(3) Regulations made under subsection (2) may also make provision for the administrative arrangements and rules governing the conduct of elections held under the provisions of subsection (1).