Amendment made: 14, page 3, line 12, at end insert—

‘( ) After subsection (3) insert—

(3A) But subsection (2) does not confer power on a returning officer to determine that a Scottish Parliamentary election and a local government election in Scotland are to be taken together.”

( ) After subsection (5A) insert—

“(5B) Before making provision under subsection (5) in connection with the combination of polls where one of the elections is a Scottish Parliamentary election or a local government election in Scotland, the Secretary of State must consult the Scottish Ministers.”’.—(David Mundell.)