House of Lords - Privileges

Select Committee on Privileges Second Report

Annex 2

NUMBERS OF SCOTTISH MPs

The following table sets out the numbers of Scottish MPs since 1707. The first row sets out the number of MPs provided for by Act of Parliament or statutory instrument. Between 1944 to 1998 a minimum number of Scottish constituencies was prescribed by Act of Parliament. The second row sets out the minimum numbers of Scottish constituencies. The Scotland Act 1998 removed the requirement that there be a minimum number of Scottish constituencies.


	1707ⁱ	1832ⁱⁱ	1867ⁱⁱⁱ	1885^iv	1918^v	1944^vi	1948^vii	1983^viii	1995^ix	1998^x

numbers of MPs	45	53	60	72	74	74	71	72	72	72
minimum numbers of MPs	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a	71	71	71	71	n/a

i Acts of Union Article XXII.

ii Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1832 (c 65). Numbers of MPs expressly increased. Constituencies set out.

iii Representation of the People (Scotland) Act 1867 (c 48). No express increase in the numbers of MPs but re-organisation of constituencies led to a net increase in numbers.

iv The Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 (c 23). No express increase in the numbers of MPs but re-organisation of constituencies led to a net increase in numbers.

v The Representation of the People Act 1918 (c 64). No express increase in the numbers of MPs but re-organisation of constituencies led to a net increase in numbers.

vi The House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1944 (c 41) (Schedule 3 rule 1). The 1944 Act was repealed by House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949 (c 66) which made identical provision in Schedule 2, rule 1. The 1949 Act was repealed by Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (c 56) which made identical provision in Schedule 2 rule 1(2).

vii The Representation of the People Act 1948 (c 65). No express decrease in the numbers of MPs but re-organisation of constituencies led to a net decrease in numbers.

viii The Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order 1983 (SI 1983/422) made under the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1949 (c66) section 3.

ix The Parliamentary Constituencies (Scotland) Order (SI 1995/1037 (S 90)) made under the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 (c 56) section 4.

x The requirement that there be a minimum number of Scottish constituencies (contained in Schedule 2, rule 1(2) of Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986 was repealed by the Scotland Act 1998 (c 46) Schedule 9.