APPENDIX
FOURTH REPORT (HC 768): ELECTORAL LAW
AND ADMINISTRATION
Published 1 October 1998. Government responses
received 21 January 1999 (published as HC 137, 1998-99) and 22
October 1999 (published as HC 856, 1998-99)
IS THERE
A NEED
FOR ANY
REFORM?
(1) We regard it as important for the
health of the democratic and political system that participation
in the electoral process be as high as possible. We consider that
there is a need to examine all aspects of the British electoral
process, including therefore the election procedures, to establish
what practical steps can be taken to increase participation (paragraph
8).
The Representation of the People Act 2000, which
aimed to implement the recommendations of the Working Party on
Electoral Procedures, contains various measures aimed at increasing
participation in the electoral system. These include:
— the introduction of "rolling
registration";
— making postal votes available on
demand;
— allowing for the piloting of innovative
electoral procedures at local elections;
— giving homeless people, mental patients
and remand prisoners the right to register to vote; and
— providing assistance for disabled
voters.
The Act received Royal Assent in March 2000.
Regulations implementing its provisions will come into effect
over the next year.
In addition, the Political Parties, Elections
and Referendums Bill provides for the establishment of an independent
Electoral Commission which will have a remit to keep under review
and report to Ministers on the law relating to electoral matters.
The Commission will also be under a duty to promote public awareness
of electoral matters as well as having a role to play in the preparation
and evaluation of proposals for electoral innovations under section
10 of the Representation of the People Act 2000.
(2) We conclude that there is a need
to bring election administration up to date so as to maximise
its effectiveness and its relevance to modern needs (paragraph
10).
The Representation of the People Act 2000 aims
to begin this process (see response to (1) above).
Under clause 4 of the Political Parties, Elections
and Referendums Bill the Electoral Commission will have the function
of reporting on the administration of Westminster and European
parliamentary elections and elections to the devolved legislatures.
The Commission will similarly report on the administration of
any national and regional referendums. In discharging this function,
the Commission will be in a position to identify areas for improvement
in the administration of such elections and referendums.
The Electoral Commission will not have a direct
supervisory role in relation to electoral administrators. However,
clause 9 of the Bill provides for the Commission to provide advice
and assistance to registration and returning officers. It is intended
that the Commission should become a focal point for the provision
of guidance to electoral administrators and the promotion of best
practice in the discharge of their duties.
VOTER EDUCATION
(7) We recommend that resources are found
to fund a programme of voter education whenever a new electoral
system is introduced (paragraph 24).
Clause 12 of the Political Parties, Elections
and Referendums Bill will place the Electoral Commission under
a duty to promote public understanding of both current electoral
systems in the United Kingdom and any new electoral systems for
which statutory provision has been made. In discharging this function,
the Commission will have responsibility for voter education campaigns
previously undertaken by Government departments when new electoral
systems have been introduced. The Commission's voter education
function will extend beyond simply explaining the mechanics of
voting under the various electoral systems in use in the United
Kingdom, to promoting greater understanding of the role of the
institutions elected under these arrangements. In doing so it
is intended that the Commission should promote awareness of the
value and importance of voting and contribute to increased voter
participation.
In advance of this, Home Office resources have
been allocated to a publicity campaign to let the public know
about the changes which will be introduced under the Representation
of the People Act 2000.
(8) We would support initiatives to make
greater use of the polling card as an instrument for encouraging
turnout (paragraph 25).
This is still under consideration. One of the
pilot projects testing innovative electoral procedures in last
May's local elections used the poll card as the application form
for postal votes on demand. The results were inconclusive, however,
as turnout decreased.
COMPULSION
(9) Our view is that while it may not
be desirable to have any form of compulsory voting we nevertheless
consider that there should be a public debate over this, bearing
in mind the much higher rate of voting in democracies where such
a system exists (paragraph 29).
The Government's position is set out in the
original response given in October 1999. The Home Secretary continues
to welcome public debate on this matter. Responses from the public
to the recommendation revealed a slight majority opposing compulsory
voting.
CURRENT METHODS
OF PREPARING
THE REGISTER
(10) We recommend that consideration
be given to giving registration officers further legal rights
to access to specified relevant records held by [public authorities
or utilities] (paragraph 34).
Paragraph 24(4) of Schedule 1 to the Representation
of the People Act 2000 makes provision for this. We intend it
to come into force from February 2001.
(11) We conclude that the time has come
whereby consideration should be given to the devising and imposition
of national minimum standards for the work of registration officers
(paragraph 35).
The Working Party on Electoral Procedures considered
that further work on national minimum standards was necessary.
The time to develop such standards is, however, when the new arrangements
for registration provided for in the Representation of the People
Act 2000 have been fully implemented. The Electoral Commission
will have a role to play in promoting best practice in relation
to the discharge of registration officers' functions (see response
to paragraph (2) above).
A "ROLLING REGISTER"
(13) We support the introduction of a
rolling register, and we therefore welcome the decision of the
Home Secretary's Working Party to recommend its introduction (paragraph
40).
The Representation of the People Act 2000 provides
for the introduction of "rolling registration". Regulations
implementing the provisions are being drafted and we intend them
to take effect from the publication of the new registers in February
2001.
(15) We would be unhappy about allowing
electors to be placed on a register because of an entitlement
which arose only after an election has been called (paragraph
42).
Paragraph 6 of Schedule 1 to the Representation
of the People Act 2000 amends section 13 of the Representation
of the People Act 1983 to limit the circumstances in which alterations
to the registers pending elections may be made.
THE RESIDENCE
QUALIFICATION
(16) We consider that registration officers
should not be put in a position where they have to risk breaking
the rules as a consequence of being more flexible in defining
a "residence", since it is important that homeless people
are not effectively disenfranchised; we recommend that, while
incorporating appropriate safeguards, the Representation of the
People Acts be amended accordingly (paragraph 45).
Section 6 of the Representation of the People
Act 2000 provides for registration by homeless people by means
of a declaration of local connection. We intend that the provisions
should come into force in February 2001.
(17) We recommend that the restrictions
on using psychiatric hospitals as residences for the purpose of
electoral registration be removed; alternative kinds of restriction,
not based on residence grounds, should be devised if it were thought
necessary to bar from voting certain patients whose condition
made it inappropriate for them to have a vote (paragraph 46).
Section 4 of the Representation of the People
Act 2000 provides for the registration of patients in mental hospitals,
other than those detained as offenders. There will be three avenues
open to them. They can either be registered in respect of their
home address; or in respect of the address of the hospital; or
by means of a declaration of local connection.
PENALTIES AND
INCENTIVES
(20) We . . . do not think it is necessary
or desirable for the state to be heavy handed in pursuing non-registration
through the courts. . . .The Home Office should gather reliable
statistics from local authorities about the numbers of prosecutions
and levels of fines (paragraph 52).
The power to prosecute is a useful last resort
to obtain compliance with the registration process. Indications
are that electoral administrators use discretion in applying it.
Rolling registration may have an effect on its operation, however,
and the Electoral Commission may wish to examine that when it
is established.
MAKING IT
EASIER TO
CAST A
VOTE
(21) We conclude that the time is right
to consider a range of possible reforms to the physical process
of casting a vote (paragraph 56).
Section 10 of the Representation of the People
Act 2000 enables local authorities to apply to the Home Secretary
to pilot different ways of voting at local elections. If the Home
Secretary is satisfied with a proposed scheme, he will make an
order enabling the authority to proceed. At the May 2000 local
government elections, 32 local authorities ran 38 pilot schemes
including early voting, all-postal ballots and electronic voting.
The Act requires each authority to evaluate its scheme within
three months of the election and submit a report to the Home Secretary.
In the light of these evaluation reports, Section 11 of the Act
enables the Home Secretary to apply any scheme nationally (to
local government elections only) by statutory instrument.
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
Bill, will give the task of evaluating pilot schemes to the proposed
Electoral Commission. It will also require a recommendation by
the Commission before any pilot scheme can be applied nationally.
POLLING HOURS
(23) We recommend that harmonised voting
hours of 7am to 9pm be brought in for local and national elections
(paragraph 59).
At the May 2000 local elections two authorities,
Leeds City Council and Mole Valley District Council, piloted the
use of Parliamentary election polling hours (7am to 10pm) instead
of local election polling hours (8am to 9pm). In each case more
voters cast their vote between 9pm and 10pm than between 7am and
8am. More pilots might provide better evidence for change, and
again the Electoral Commission may want to look at this issue.
POLLING DAY
(24) We see sufficient potential advantage
in weekend voting for it to be worth experimenting to see if it
would actually generate the increased turnout hoped for (paragraph
64).
This was considered a suitable area for a pilot
scheme. To receive approval however, applications were required
to show that concerns about religious observance had been met.
In the event, at the May 2000 local elections only one authority
(Watford) experimented with weekend voting. It opened its polling
stations on the weekend of the 6 and 7 May instead of Thursday
4 May. Overall turnout in Watford fell from 36 per cent in 1999
to 27 per cent in 2000. Although it is difficult to draw firm
conclusions from these figures, voters may have thought that the
elections were over, as results in the rest of the country were
announced on Friday 5 May, before Watford's first polling day
(Saturday 6). Watford also piloted early voting as well as two
other schemes, making it difficult to isolate the effect of each.
Voters who were unable to vote at the weekend appreciated the
availability of the early polling station. There is scope for
weekend voting to be piloted more extensively before any conclusions
about its future can be reached.
ABSENT VOTING:
DEADLINES
(25) We recommend that the Home Office
discuss with electoral administrators how much further the deadline
for (a) postal vote applications and (b) proxy vote applications
could be reduced, and take the necessary steps to implement the
agreed new timetables (paragraph 70).
Section 12 and Schedule 4 of the Representation
of the People Act 2000 amends the provisions relating to absent
votes including the time limits for postal vote applications.
The time limit for the receipt of postal vote applications will
no longer be the 11th day before polling day, but the sixth day.
The Working Party on Electoral Procedures recommended no change
to the proxy vote provisions whilst legal action involving alleged
proxy vote fraud was outstanding.
ABSENT VOTING:
ENTITLEMENT
(26) We recommend that the various grounds
for entitlement to an absent vote be abolished and that electors
be allowed to apply for an absent vote on demand (paragraph
70).
Section 12 and Schedule 4 of the Representation
of the People Act 2000 amends the provisions relating to absent
votes to allow for postal votes on demand. There has been no change
to the provisions for proxy voting (see response to recommendation
25 above).
(27) We recommend in the meantime that
the government take steps to remind all GPs that they are obliged
to deal with applications for absent voting free of charge (paragraph
71).
Paragraph 37 and schedule 9 of the NHS (General
Medical Services) Regulations 1992 prohibit charging for attestations
to applications for postal voting. GPs who do so are in breach
of their terms of service. Attestations for postal votes will
not be required at the next and all subsequent elections. The
publicity accompanying these changes will make it plain that attestations
required for proxy voting should not be subject to a charge.
(28) We support the idea that registration
officers should more actively promote take up of absent voting
entitlements, particularly those for indefinite entitlements;
we suggest also that appropriate methods for doing this should
be included in any mandatory minimum standards for registration
introduced under our recommendation at paragraph 35 above (paragraph
72).
The publicity planned for the introduction of
postal voting on demand (which we intend to come into force in
February 2001) is expected to produce increased take-up. We have
noted the recommendation in respect of guidance for electoral
administrators; the Electoral Commission will no doubt wish to
take account of this when they take on their advisory role.
EARLY VOTING
(29) We consider that early voting facilities
at convenient locations, specially adapted to assist those with
disabilities but nevertheless open to all, should be introduced
(paragraph 78).
Early voting was piloted by 15 local authorities
at the May 2000 elections. Although the schemes had only a marginal
effect on turnout, the evaluation reports show that the convenience
and improved disabled access of the early polling stations was
greatly welcomed by voters. Consideration will be given to extending
this facility more generally.
(30) We consider that early voting stations
should not open until the week in which the main polling day falls—ie
the Monday before the main polling day. In order to prevent any
effect on the rest of the election, exit polling of early voters
should be prohibited (paragraph 79).
The Home Office took no prior view as to how
many days in advance of 4 May 2000 an early polling station could
operate. Consequently, each application to pilot early voting
was considered on its own merits and as a result a variety of
schemes went ahead. The earliest polling stations opened in Chester
and Redditch on Tuesday 25 April. The effect on turnout in all
these experiments was marginal but it might have increased convenience
of access for those who vote.
Schedule 6 of the Representation of the People
Act 2000 prohibits the publication of any exit poll or forecast
as to the result of the election prior to the close of the poll.
CHOICE OF
POLLING STATIONS
AND THEIR
LOCATION
(31) We recommend that the increased
computerisation of the work of registration officers should progress
in such a way as to allow registers to be available and marked
up at polling stations throughout the constituency on a common
basis. When reliable technology is in place and tested and proven,
but not before, we recommend that voters should be able to vote
at any polling station in the constituency (paragraph 83).
Pilot schemes provide an ideal opportunity to
test such technology. At the May 2000 local elections some authorities
ran early voting schemes using a number of polling stations at
which any registered elector could cast his or her vote. In order
to prevent double voting, registers were available and marked
electronically. Thus, each early polling station had a constantly
updated record of those who had voted anywhere in the local authority's
area. Further work is needed on this if it is to be extended to
cover all polling stations in a polling district, not least because
of the difficulty and cost of networking remote polling stations.
The Electoral Commission will be interested in investigating increased
computerisation of electoral registers.
ELECTRONIC VOTING
(32) We do not therefore recommend experimentation
with electronic voting, though we accept that in the longer term
this may require re-examination (paragraph 84).
Three authorities piloted electronic voting
in last May's elections whilst two others, as well as London,
piloted electronic counting only. Some technological problems
occurred but all the schemes demonstrated the potential for efficiency
and a fast, less labour-intensive count procedure. These are early
days however and we would welcome more pilot scheme applications
in this area in the future.
ASSISTANCE FOR
THOSE WITH
DISABILITIES
(33) We conclude that the Home Office
guidance to returning officers should recommend improved training
of presiding officers in relation to the difficulties faced by
disabled people, including a briefing prior to each election,
so as to encourage them to allow maximum flexibility within the
current rules (paragraph 86).
(34) We recommend that the Home Office
guidance to returning officers on the conduct of accessibility
audits makes use of national standards and suggest that the audits
be carried out, wherever possible, in close co-operation with
local disability groups. In particular, we recommend the establishment
of local telephone "hot-lines" to ensure that access
problems can be acted upon immediately (paragraph 88).
Work continues on producing the consolidated
advice to electoral administrators as recommended by the Working
Party on Electoral Procedures. Meetings between groups representing
disabled people, ministers and officials have taken place. We
shall continue to give careful consideration to these recommendations.
(35) We concur with [the view that compulsory
standards should not be imposed at national level] (paragraph
89).
The Government's position is set out in the
response given in October 1999. We agree with the conclusion of
the Committee, and of the Working Party on Electoral Procedures,
that mandatory standards are not appropriate.
(36) We believe that in this important
area of the exercise of democratic rights the cost of providing
100 per cent grants is justified. In particular, full grants should
be available for the cost of equipping all polling stations with
polling booths accessible to the disabled. We also urge the Home
Office to improve its advice to returning officers on the availability
of grants and the deployment of the equipment (paragraph 90).
Electoral administrators continue to be encouraged
to apply for grants to ensure that polling stations and voting
compartments are accessible to disabled voters. Since October
1999 over £35,000 has been provided in grants from the Consolidated
Fund for the provision of temporary ramps and £168,816 in
grants for the purchase of adapted polling screens. It is recognised
that the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995
will encourage the provision of more permanent access to buildings
used by disabled people other than once a year to vote in a polling
station. This will eventually lead to a reduction in applications
for temporary ramps. There are no plans at this time to change
the current level of grant available to local authorities to obtain
temporary ramps and adapted polling compartments, which the Government
considers to be equitable.
(37) We therefore recommend that the
Home Office take any necessary steps to ensure that assistance
by polling station staff and companions may be provided to all
blind and partially-sighted persons who require it and that the
companion providing assistance may be registered in any constituency
(paragraph 91).
Section 13 of the Representation of the People
Act 2000 extends the current provisions for assistance to blind
voters to anyone with a physical incapacity and to those who are
unable to read. Under present provisions the companion must be
a person who is entitled to vote as an elector in the election
(but not necessarily in the constituency) concerned.
(38) We believe, however, that as a minimum
the size and clarity of all ballot papers, including the type
size for the candidate's description, should be improved with
a large print reference copy displayed in each polling station.
The Home Office should also pilot the use of Braille and large
print templates. We therefore welcome the announcement that, subject
to legislative opportunity, the Government now intend to make
possible the introduction of polling aids for disabled people
generally (paragraph 92).
Section 13 of the Representation of the People
Act 2000 requires the provision and display of a large sized version
of the ballot paper in each polling station. It also requires
the provision, in each polling station, of a voting device to
allow blind voters to vote unaided. Discussions are continuing
with electoral stationery manufacturers about the design and production
of such a device. We intend that these provisions should be in
force in time for the next local elections in May 2001.
(39) We believe that every practical
option should be explored to enable disabled people and others
with mobility problems to vote in person and recommend that a
pilot exercise to assess the feasibility and cost of mobile polling
be undertaken (paragraph 93).
At last May's local elections, three authorities
(Norwich, Watford and Sunderland) operated pilot schemes where
a mobile polling station was taken by electoral staff to a number
of residential homes on pre-arranged days. The evaluation reports
show that those who used the scheme greatly appreciated the ability
to vote in person. The additional expenditure was regarded as
reasonable by those authorities which ran the schemes, given that
a social as well as an electoral service was being provided.
ABUSE OF
PROXY AND
POSTAL VOTING
(40) We have no firm evidence to suggest
that abuse of the absent voting system by people fraudulently
influencing how such votes are obtained and cast is widespread
. . . We recommend that the Home Office and returning officers
conduct research, on a sample basis, into whether absent voters
at a recent (or a forthcoming) election were satisfied that they
were able to cast their vote free from any improper outside influence,
and also the question of delivery of ballot papers once completed
(paragraph 98).
Investigations into alleged proxy voting infringements
are continuing, though those which have concluded have revealed
insufficient evidence to proceed to a prosecution. There is no
evidence to support concerns about postal voting, though increasing
availability of postal votes may have an impact. No systematic
research has been undertaken by the Home Office to date. The Electoral
Commission may wish to examine this issue.
IMPERSONATION AND
VOTE TRACING
(42) We concur with Liberty's view that
[the system of marking counterfoils to allow vote tracing should
be abandoned] (paragraph 107).
The Government's position is set out in the
response given in October 1999. Whilst we recognise that this
is an area of electoral procedure which requires re-assessment,
we have reservations about ceasing the present system.
BALLOT PAPERS
(43) We consider that there should continue
to be some form of mark or identifier on ballot papers to enable
a false paper to be readily identified. However, we regard the
physical application of a mark to each such paper at the polling
station as unsatisfactory, given how easily it can be accidentally
omitted, leading to the effective deprivation of a valid vote.
We therefore recommend that the Home Office and the electoral
administrators identify and introduce a more up-to-date and simpler
method than the present official mark (paragraph 110).
The ballot papers for the Greater London Authority
elections last May were printed with an individual bar-code in
place of the official mark to allow them to be counted electronically.
This marking method proved to be effective and trouble-free and
it may provide a way forward.
BRITISH CITIZENS
OVERSEAS
(44) We take the view that the twenty
year maximum period within which a British citizen may retain
the right to vote is excessive and that the earlier limit—five
years—should be restored (paragraph 116).
The Government agrees with the Committee's conclusion
that the existing qualifying period for registration as an overseas
voter is excessive and should be reduced. In considering what
should be the appropriate qualifying period for overseas voters,
the Government has taken into account the position of those British
citizens (for example, the employees of international organisations)
whose employment overseas may require them to reside overseas
for more than five years, but who are likely to return to the
United Kingdom permanently thereafter. The Government has therefore
decided that it would be more appropriate to reduce the qualifying
period to ten years. Clause 134 of the Political Parties, Elections
and Referendums Bill will make the change. The Home Secretary
has undertaken not to commence this provision until after the
next General Election.
ELIGIBILITY TO
BE ELECTED
(48) We therefore recommend that, with
one exception, all restrictions on ministers of religion standing
for and serving as, Members of Parliament be removed; the exception
would be in respect of all serving bishops of the Church of England
who, for as long as places are reserved for the senior bishops
in the House of Lords, should remain ineligible to serve as Members
of the Commons
The agreement of the churches to this change
has now been obtained and the Government intends to legislate
to achieve it when a suitable opportunity arises.
THE NUMBER
OF CANDIDATES
AND MISLEADING
NAMES ON
BALLOT PAPERS
(49) We agree that people who are putting
forward genuine political views and policies should in a democratic
society be able to stand as candidates without undue difficulty,
even if their views are unlikely to secure the support of any
more than a small minority of voters. At the same time, we do
not believe the political process is enhanced or democracy well
served by a proliferation of candidates who are standing purely
for the sake of personal publicity, whether for the purposes of
humour or of commerce. We therefore agree that it is right and
proper for there to be some basic threshold candidates must pass
if they are to be allowed to stand (paragraph 131); [and]
(50) We do not favour a major increase
in the threshold for becoming a parliamentary candidate but we
do think some further rise would be appropriate in current circumstances.
We recommend that:
(a) there should be a modest increase
in the deposit to £700 for the next general election, and
that the deposit should thereafter be indexed;
(b) the number of assentors required should
be raised to 50, though returning officers should have a clear
power of discretion to accept nomination forms containing only
minor errors in the names and details of assentors; and
(c) before signatures of assentors are
collected the nomination form must be authorised by the returning
officer confirming that the candidate's name and description are
accurate (paragraph 134).
(51) We accept that the position with
respect to the prevention of the use of deliberately misleading
names by candidates may be adequate in theory. In practice, however
there are still difficulties. We recommend that candidates should
be nominated under a name by which they can show that they have
been known for a given period before the election (such as the
name by which they are listed in the electoral register) (paragraph
138).
The Government's position is set out in the
response given in October 1999. We accept that the proposals in
recommendation 50 are all worthy of consideration, but consider
that this may best be done by means of consultation with the political
parties represented at Westminster and in the European Parliament.
MISLEADING DESCRIPTIONS
OF CANDIDATES
(52) We welcome the provisions covering
candidates' descriptions in the Registration of Political Parties
Bill so far as they go . . . We believe, however, that returning
officers will need stronger guidance than is provided in the bill
as to whether particular descriptions should be allowed. There
may also be a need to establish a mechanism to ensure consistency
between returning officer's decisions. We conclude that the Government,
electoral administrators and political parties should monitor
developments closely, and that the Government should be ready
to introduce further proposals if necessary
At present, candidates may use a description
of up to six words in length irrespective of whether they are
standing in the name of a party registered under the 1998 Act.
As a consequence, the returning officer may be required to determine
whether a particular description chosen by an independent candidate
is likely to lead voters to associate the candidate with a registered
political party. However, clause 20 of the Political Parties,
Elections and Referendums Bill will require that a candidate may
only use a description other than the word "Independent"
if they are authorised to do so by the nominating officer of a
registered political party. The purpose of this change is to bring
political parties wishing to field candidates at elections within
the ambit of the controls on donations and expenditure set out
in the Bill, but it should also further reduce the possibility
of electors being misled by confusing candidates' descriptions.
The Electoral Commission can be expected to monitor the operation
of these new provisions closely and issue any necessary guidance
to returning officers.
AN ELECTORAL
COMMISSION?
(54) An electoral commission should be
established, whether or not one is recommended by the Neill Committee.
The responsibilities of the Home Office would correspondingly
be reduced. One of the tasks of the Commission would be to ensure
that the electoral process is continuously monitored and discussed
and kept up to date
The Political Parties, Elections and Referendums
Bill will implement the recommendations of the Neill Committee
and provide for the setting up of an independent Electoral Commission.
The Bill provides for the Commission to be established on Royal
Assent. In addition to being responsible for administering and
ensuring compliance with the controls on parties' income and expenditure,
the Commission will have a number of broader functions in relation
to monitoring electoral law and practice. These will include:
— reporting on the administration of
elections and referendums;
— the review of electoral matters,
including electoral law;
— participation in the preparation
of, and the evaluation of the success of pilot schemes under section
10 of the Representation of the People Act 2000;
— the giving of advice and assistance
to electoral administrators and other bodies;
— input into the drawing up by broadcasting
authorities of rules governing party political broadcasts;
— administering the provision of policy
development grants to political parties; and
— the promotion of public awareness
of electoral matters.
In the longer term (by 2005) the Commission
will also take over the functions of the four Parliamentary Boundary
Commissions and Local Government Commission for England in relation
to the review of electoral and administrative boundaries. The
Commission may also take over the functions of the Local Government
Boundary Commission for Scotland and the Local Government Boundary
Commission for Wales if the Scottish Parliament and the National
Assembly for Wales so determine.
6 October 2000
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