149

House of Commons

Thursday 13th November 2008

Public Bill Committee

New Amendments handed in are marked thus

Amendments which will comply with the required notice period at their next appearance

Political Parties and Elections Bill

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Note

The Amendments have been arranged in accordance with the Order of the

Committee [4th November 2008].

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

28

Schedule  1,  page  17,  line  13,  at end insert—

‘(2)	Where originals have been removed from premises, the Commission must take

all reasonable steps to provide the individual or organisation with copies of those

documents within 24 hours.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

29

Schedule  1,  page  17,  line  23,  at end insert ‘and leave a copy of such authorisation

of warrant with that person.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

30

Schedule  1,  page  17,  line  34,  after ‘any’, insert ‘reasonable’.

Martin Linton

118

Schedule  1,  page  18,  line  41,  at begining insert ‘Subject to subsection (1A),’.

Martin Linton

119

Schedule  1,  page  18,  line  43,  at end insert—

Public Bill Committee: 13th November 2008

150

Political Parties and Elections Bill, continued

‘(1A)

A person does not commit an offence if, in the opinion of the Commission, the

person had no intention of withholding or failing to provide information for the

purposes of fulfilling any duty or obligation under this Act.’.

Mr Michael Wills

125

Schedule  1,  page  19,  line  6,  at end insert—

‘Guidance by Commission

(1)	The Commission shall prepare and publish guidance as to—

(a)	the circumstances in which the Commission are likely to give a notice

under paragraph 1 or 2(2);

(b)	the consequences (including criminal sanctions) that may result from

a failure to comply with such a notice;

(c)	the circumstances in which the Commission are likely to exercise their

power under paragraph 1(5);

(d)	the procedures to be followed in connection with questioning under

paragraph 2(4);

(e)	the circumstances in which the Commission are likely to apply for a

warrant under paragraph 3;

(f)	the principles and practices to be applied in connection with taking

possession of, or taking other steps in relation to, documents that

appear to be ones to which paragraph 3(2) applies;

(g)	the principles and practices to be applied in connection with the

exercise of powers under paragraphs 4 and 5;

(h)	any other matters concerning the exercise of powers under this

Schedule about which the Commission consider that guidance would

be useful.

(2)	Where appropriate, the Commission shall revise guidance published under this

paragraph and publish the revised guidance.

(3)	The Commission shall consult such persons as they consider appropriate

before publishing guidance or revised guidance under this paragraph.

(4)	The Commission shall have regard to the guidance or revised guidance

published under this paragraph in exercising their functions.’.

Mr Michael Wills

126

Schedule  1,  page  19,  line  6,  at end insert—

‘Information about use of investigatory powers in Commission’s annual report

(1)	Each report by the Commission under paragraph 20 of Schedule 1 shall contain

information about the use made by the Commission of their powers under this

Schedule during the year in question.

(2)	The report shall, in particular, specify—

(a)	the cases in which a notice was given under paragraph 1 or 2(2);

(b)	the cases in which premises were entered under paragraph 1(5);

(c)	the cases in which a requirement was imposed under paragraph 2(4);

(d)	the cases in which a warrant under paragraph 3—

(i)	was applied for;

(ii)	was issued;

Public Bill Committee: 13th November 2008

151

Political Parties and Elections Bill, continued

(iii)

was executed;

(e)	in relation to each warrant under paragraph 3 that was executed—

(i)	what force (if any) was used to enter the premises;

(ii)	whether documents were seized;

(iii)

any other noteworthy details.

(3)	This paragraph does not require the Commission to include in a report any

information that, in their opinion, it would be inappropriate to include on the

ground that to do so—

(a)	would or might be unlawful, or

(b)	might adversely affect any current investigation or proceedings.’.

Mr Fabian Hamilton

Mr Denis MacShane

Martin Linton

Nick Ainger

14

Schedule  1,  page  19,  line  6,  at end add—

‘13	The Commission shall lay before Parliament, on a quarterly basis, reports

specifying how it has exercised its powers under this Schedule.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

85

Clause  3,  page  2,  line  26,  at end insert—

‘(1A)

The Secretary of State, after consulting the Electoral Commission, shall make an

order that specifies what discretionary requirements may be imposed by the

Electoral Commission under Part 2 of Schedule 19B.’.

Nick Ainger

133

Clause  3,  page  2,  line  31,  column  2,  leave out from beginning to end of line 37

and insert ‘A fine of £1,000.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

82

Clause  3,  page  2,  line  33,  leave out ‘£20,000’ and insert ‘statutory maximum’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

83

Clause  3,  page  2,  line  35,  leave out ‘£20,000’ and insert ‘statutory maximum’.

Public Bill Committee: 13th November 2008

152

Political Parties and Elections Bill, continued

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

84

Clause  3,  page  3,  line  9,  leave out from ‘Parliament’ to end of line 10.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

31

Schedule  2,  page  19,  line  17,  leave out subsection (b).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

32

Schedule  2,  page  19,  line  24,  leave out subsection (b).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

33

Schedule  2,  page  19,  line  31,  leave out subsection (b).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

34

Schedule  2,  page  19,  line  38,  leave out subsection (b).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

35

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  3,  at end insert ‘within 28 days of receipt of the notice

under paragraph 2(4).’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

36

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  20,  at end insert ‘within the period specified under

paragraph 3(2)(a).’.

Mr Fabian Hamilton

Mr Denis MacShane

Nick Ainger

1

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  25,  at end insert ‘and may by notice require the

Commission to withdraw the notice and pursue the matter as a criminal offence under the

relevant provisions.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

37

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  25,  at end insert ‘at any point during the period specified

in paragraph 3(2).’.

Public Bill Committee: 13th November 2008

153

Political Parties and Elections Bill, continued

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

64

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  31,  leave out sub-paragraph (5).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

65

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  38,  leave out from ‘penalty’ to end of line 43 and insert

‘at any point within 28 days of receipt of the notice under paragraph 2(4).’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

66

Schedule  2,  page  20,  line  44,  leave out ‘a county court’ and insert ‘the High Court’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

67

Schedule  2,  page  21,  line  5,  leave out ‘effect of’ and insert ‘ability to discharge a

person’s liability by’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

68

Schedule  2,  page  21,  line  6,  at end insert ‘provided payment is received within the

period specified in paragraph 3(2)(a).’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

69

Schedule  2,  page  21,  line  11,  after first ‘the’, insert ‘date of commencement of the’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

70

Schedule  2,  page  21,  line  13,  after ‘the’, insert ‘date of commencement of the’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

71

Schedule  2,  page  21,  line  25,  leave out paragraph 4.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

72

Schedule  2,  page  21,  line  37,  at end insert—

‘(3)	Nothing in this paragraph prevents any criminal proceedings being taken for

any other offence under this Act or any other Act.’.

Public Bill Committee: 13th November 2008

154

Political Parties and Elections Bill, continued

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

73

Schedule  2,  page  22,  line  4,  leave out from first ‘by’ to ‘this’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

74

Schedule  2,  page  22,  line  11,  leave out from first ‘by’ to ‘this’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

75

Schedule  2,  page  22,  line  18,  leave out from first ‘by’ to ‘this’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

76

Schedule  2,  page  22,  line  25,  leave out from first ‘by’ to ‘this’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

77

Schedule  2,  page  22,  line  26,  leave out from ‘requirement’ to end of line 39 and

insert ‘such requirements as specified by virtue of section 147(1A).’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

78

Schedule  2,  page  23,  line  16,  at end insert ‘at any point during the period specified

in paragraph 7(2).’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

40

Schedule  2,  page  23,  line  24,  leave out sub-paragraph (4).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

41

Schedule  2,  page  23,  line  31,  after ‘person’, insert ‘immediately’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

42

Schedule  2,  page  23,  line  32,  after ‘is’, insert ‘, how it is to be complied with, and

the exact time period in which compliance must occur.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

43

Schedule  2,  page  23,  line  34,  leave out from ‘requirement’ to end of line 43 and

insert ‘at any point within 28 days of receipt of the notice under paragraph 6(5)’.

Public Bill Committee: 13th November 2008

155

Political Parties and Elections Bill, continued

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

44

Schedule  2,  page  24,  line  8,  after ‘the’, insert ‘date of commencement of the’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

45

Schedule  2,  page  24,  line  19,  leave out sub-paragraph 7(3)(b)(iii).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

46

Schedule  2,  page  24,  line  24,  leave out paragraph 8.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

47

Schedule  2,  page  24,  line  33,  at end insert—

‘(3)	Nothing in this paragraph prevents any criminal proceedings being taken for any

other offence under this Act or any other Act.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

48

Schedule  2,  page  24,  line  39,  leave out sub-paragraph 9(2).

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

107

Schedule  2,  page  24,  line  43,  leave out from ‘notice’ to end of line 5 on page 25 and

insert ‘at any point during a period of 28 days from receipt of that notice.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

50

Schedule  2,  page  25,  line  6,  leave out ‘a county court’ and insert ‘the High Court’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

51

Schedule  2,  page  25,  line  8,  leave out Part 3.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

52

Schedule  2,  page  26,  line  31,  after ‘may’, insert ‘, on an application by that person

or by decision of the Commission.’.

Mr Jonathan Djanogly

Mrs Eleanor Laing

53

Schedule  2,  page  27,  line  40,  leave out paragraph 16.

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Revised 13 November 2008