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LORDS AMENDMENT TO A COMMONS AMENDMENT

TO THE

european parliamentary and local elections (Pilots) BILL

[The page and line references are to HL Bill 14 as first printed for the Lords.]

Clause 1

LORDS AMENDMENT NO. 1

Leave out Clause 1 and insert the following new Clause—

“Piloting conduct at European and local elections

(1)	An election to which this section applies (a pilot election) must be held—

(a)	only by postal voting, and (for that purpose)

(b)	in accordance with provision made by the Secretary of State by

order (a pilot order).

(2)	These are the elections to which this section applies—

(a)	the European Parliamentary general election of 2004 in a pilot

region;

(b)	a local government election in England and Wales if the poll at such

an election is combined with the poll at an election mentioned in

paragraph (a).

(3)	These are the pilot regions—

(a)	North East;

(b)	East Midlands.

(4)	Postal voting is voting where no polling station is used and a person

entitled to vote in person or by proxy must deliver the ballot paper by post

or by such other means as is specified in a pilot order.

(5)	A pilot order—

(a)	may modify or disapply any provision made by or under a relevant

enactment;

Bill 81

53/3

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(b)	may contain such consequential, incidental, supplementary or

transitional provision or savings (including provision amending,

replacing, suspending or revoking provision made by or under any

enactment) as the Secretary of State thinks appropriate;

(c)	may make different provision for different purposes.”

The Commons agree to this Amendment with the following Amendment—

1A

Line 15, at end insert—

“(c)	Yorkshire and the Humber;

(d)	North West.”

LORDS DISAGREEMENT AND REASON

The Lords disagree to Commons Amendment 1A to Lords Amendment 1, for the following

Reason—

1B

Because it is appropriate to make provision for no more than two pilot regions, as

recommended by the Electoral Commission.

COMMONS NON-INSISTENCE AND AMENDMENT IN LIEU

The Commons do not insist on their Amendment 1A to which the Lords have disagreed, but

propose the following Amendment to the Bill in lieu of that Amendment—

1C

Leave out lines 16 to 18 and insert—

‘(c)	Yorkshire and the Humber;

(d)	North West.

( )	Postal voting is voting where no polling station is used and a person

entitled to vote in person or by proxy must deliver by post or by such other

means as is specified in a pilot order—

(a)	the ballot paper, and

(b)	the completed declaration of identity form.

( )	The declaration of identity form is a form which is delivered along with the

ballot paper and which is completed by being signed—

(a)	by the person to whom the ballot paper is addressed, and

(b)	by a witness to that signing whose name and address are clearly

marked on the form.’

LORDS AMENDMENT TO COMMONS AMENDMENT NO. 1C

The Lords agree with the Commons in their Amendment 1C in lieu of Commons Amend­

ment 1A, but propose the following Amendment thereto—

1D

Line 3, at end insert—

“but, in the case of either region specified in paragraph (c) or (d) above, a

pilot may only take place if it is specifically recommended by the Electoral

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Commission in a report which is laid before both Houses of Parliament

after the coming into force of this Act.”

COMMONS DISAGREEMENT AND REASON

The Commons disagree to Lords Amendment 1D to Commons Amendment 1C, for the fol­

lowing Reason—

1E

Because it is not necessary to seek further advice from the Electoral Commission.

      LORDS NON-INSISTENCE AND AMENDMENT IN LIEU

The Lords do not insist on their Amendment 1D to Commons Amendment 1C to which the

Commons have disagreed for their Reason 1E but propose the following Amendment to

Commons Amendment 1C in lieu of Lords Amendment 1D—

1F

Line 3, leave out—

“(d)	North West.”

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Revised 26 March 2004