European Parliamentary Elections Bill — 18 Nov 1998
Lords Reasons for insisting on certain of their amendments to which the Commons have disagreed and for disagreeing to the further Commons amendment to the Bill in lieu, considered.
Lords Reason:
The Lords insist on their Amendments in page 2, lines 1, 2, 15 and 18 to which the Commons have disagreed and disagree with the Commons in their Amendment in lieu thereof, for the following Reason:
Because the review proposed by the Commons is not an adequate substitute for an electoral system that allows electors to vote for the individual party candidate of their choice.
I beg to move, That this House insists on its disagreement with the Lords in their Amendments but does not insist on its Amendment in lieu.
I understand that, with this, it will be convenient to discuss the further Government amendment to the Bill in lieu of the Lords amendments, in page 3, line 46, at end insert--
'Review of electoral system
.--(1) The Secretary of State shall appoint one or more persons--
(a) to review, in accordance with subsection (2), the operation of the system of election provided for by section 3 of the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 as substituted by section 1 of this Act, and
(b) to make a report to the Secretary of State within six months from the day of appointment.
(2) The review shall consider, in particular, how the ability of electors to vote for particular persons on a party's list of candidates might affect the results of an election.
(3) The Secretary of State shall carry out his duty under subsection (1) within one month from the date of the first general election to the European Parliament which takes place after the coming into force of section 1.
(4) The Secretary of State shall lay a copy of any report received under subsection (1)(b) before each House of Parliament.'.
The word "his" refers to the view of the then Leader of the Opposition, now the Prime Minister.
Question put: --
The House divided: Ayes 326, Noes 133.
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