Clause 5 — Timing of Elections

Scotland Bill (Programme) (No.2) – in the House of Commons at 7:52 pm on 9 November 2015.

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Amendments made: 41, page 6, line 10, at the end insert

“, unless the day of the poll is determined by a proclamation under subsection (5) as modified by subsection (5ZA).”

This amendment means that where Scottish Ministers make an order under section 2(2B) of the Scotland Act 1998 specifying an election date, and the Presiding Officer proposes a new date for the election under section 2(5) of that Act, the election will be held on the date proposed under section 2(5).

Amendment 42, page 6, line 13, at the end insert—

‘( ) After subsection (5) insert—

(5ZA) Where a day is specified by order under subsection (2B), subsection (5) applies as if the reference to the first Thursday in May were a reference to that day.”—(Stephen Barclay.)

The amendment is linked to amendment 41 and provides that the Presiding Officer’s power at section 2(5) of the Scotland Act 1998 to propose a new date for an election, applies in relation to a date specified for such a poll under new section 2(2B) of that Act.