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Proceeding contribution from Lord Rooker (Labour Independent) in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 8 December 2010. It occurred during Committee of the Whole House (HL) and Debate on bill on Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill.


Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill

When I saw the note from the Electoral Commission, which it copied to many of us moving the amendments, I wrote back briefly, saying: "““I am sure high quality lawyers will see a route forward and grab the chance of flexibility. Why don’t you recommend an order making power in the Bill. Make a draft order with May 5th while maintaining the fall back of … 31 October in the Bill””." It is very simple. We all say that the target date is 5 May. The way to do it is to put an order-making power in the Bill and put a draft order before the House while the Bill is going through so that the public sector, the private sector and everybody knows that that is the target date. The Bill itself—the Act of Parliament—will have ““before 31 October”” so if something goes wrong, it is possible to change the order. It is simple.


Secondary information

Type
Proceeding contribution
Reference
723 c277 
Session
2010-12
Chamber / Committee
House of Lords chamber
Subjects
Alternative vote Ballots Administration General elections Referendums Voting methods Scots Gaelic language Voting rights Welsh language
Legislation
Parliamentary Voting System and Constituencies Bill 2010-12
Link
View this Proceeding contribution on www.publications.parliament.uk