Scotland Bill — House of Commons, 2015-06-15
Topic: Government Operations
Angus Robertson (Scottish National Party, Centre-left): I know that we are running out of time, so I will not detain the Committee. I have listened to what the Minister has said and beg to ask leave to withdraw the amendment Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. Amendments made: 92, page 2, leave out lines 30 to 32 and insert— "Any digital service provided by a Minister of the Crown for the registration of electors." This amends the reservation of the Digital Service to allow for future changes, such as to the operational mechanisms of the Service, subsequent amendments to the Representation of the People (Scotland) Regulations 2001 (SI 2001/497) and for transfers of functions between Ministers. Amendment 93, page 2, leave out lines 33 to 37 and insert— (a) Parts 5 and 6 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (expenditure in connection with elections) in relation to an election within the legislative competence of the Parliament, where the poll at the election is combined with the poll at an election for membership of the House of Commons or the European Parliament, and (b) sections 145 to 148 and 150 to 154 of that Act (enforcement) as they apply for the purposes of Part 5 or 6, so far as the subject-matter of that Part is reserved by paragraph (a)." This amendment amends the reservation relating to Parts 5 and 6 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 to make clear that sections 145 to 148 and 150 to 154 are also reserved to the extent that those Parts are reserved. Amendment 94, page 3, line 1, leave out from "Act" to end of line 2 and insert "as they apply for the purposes of section 155 or 156, so far as the subject-matter of that section" This amendment makes drafting changes to the reservation of sections 145 to 148 and 150 to 154 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in line with amendment 93. Amendment 95, page 3 , leave out line 12 and insert— "(c) sections 12, 21 to 33, 35 to 37, 39 to 57, 58 to 67, 69, 71, 71F, 71G, 71H to 71Y and 140A," This amendment amends the reservation of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 so that sections of that Act which have been repealed, make amendments to other legislation or do not relate to elections to the Scottish Parliament are not included in the reservation. Amendment 96, page 3, line 15, after "157", insert "and 159" This amendment amends the reservation of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in B3(B) so that section 158 is not reserved. Section 158 provides for amendments and repeals of other legislation and therefore there is no subject-matter within this section that needs to be reserved. Amendment 97, page 3, line 16, leave out from "154" to end of line 18 and insert "as they apply for the purposes of a provision mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e), so far as the subject matter of that provision is reserved by those paragraphs." This amendment makes drafting changes to the reservation of sections 145 to 148 and 150 to 154 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 in line with amendment 93. Amendment 98, page 3, leave out lines 20 to 25.—(Stephen Barclay.) Due to amendment 92, definitions of the "digital service" and "elections in Scotland" are no longer required. Clause 3, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 4 Power to make provision about elections Amendments made: 99, page 4, line 30, leave out from "of" to end of line 32 and insert "any digital service provided by a Minister of the Crown for the registration of electors" This amendment ensures that subsection (4) of new section 12 of the Scotland Act 1998 refers to the amended reservation of the Digital Service (see amendment 92). Amendment 100, , page 5, leave out lines 1 to 3. —(Stephen Barclay.) Due to amendment 92, a definition of the "digital service" is no longer required. Clause 4, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill. Clause 5 Timing of elections Amendment made: 101, page 6, line 4, leave out ", or within two months before,".—(Stephen Barclay.) This amendment removes the provision preventing a Scottish parliamentary ordinary general election from being held in the two months before a UK or European parliamentary general election, but such an election to the Scottish Parliament could not be held on the same day as such elections to the UK or European Parliaments. Amendment proposed: 43, page 6, line 8, at end insert— "(c) A referendum called under reserved powers".—(Wayne David.) Question put, That the amendment be made.