Recall of MPs Act 2015

PART 6 Final provisions

Power to alter meaning of “petition expense”

23 (1) The Minister may by regulations amend paragraph 14 or 15.

(2) Before making regulations under this paragraph the Minister must consult the Electoral Commission.

(3) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

Power to alter certain financial limits

24 (1) The Minister may by regulations amend any of the following provisions so as to substitute a different amount for the amount for the time being mentioned in the provision—

(a) paragraph 2(1) (limit on petition expenditure for person other than an accredited campaigner);

(b) paragraph 3(1) (limit on petition expenditure for accredited campaigner);

(c) paragraph 6(9) (amount at or below which notional petition expense is to be disregarded);

(d) paragraph 9(2) (amount at or above which petition expense of accredited campaigner must be supported by invoice or receipt).

(2) Before making regulations under this paragraph the Minister must consult the Electoral Commission.

(3) Regulations under this paragraph are subject to affirmative resolution procedure.

(4) Sub-paragraphs (2) and (3) do not apply where the Minister considers that the substitution is expedient in consequence of changes in the value of money.

Corrupt and illegal practices

25 (1) An offence that is a corrupt practice under this Schedule is treated—

(a) for the purposes of section 168 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (mode of prosecution and penalty for corrupt practices) as a corrupt practice,

(b) for the purposes of section 173 of that Act (incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice) as a corrupt practice,

(c) for the purposes of section 173A of that Act (incapacity to hold public or judicial office in Scotland) as a corrupt practice,

(d) for the purposes of section 178 of that Act (prosecution of offences committed outside the United Kingdom) as an offence under that Act,

(e) for the purposes of section 179 of that Act (offences by associations) as a corrupt practice, and

(f) for the purposes of section 112 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (c. 14 (N.I.)) (incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice) as a corrupt practice.

(2) An offence that is an illegal practice under this Schedule is treated—

(a) for the purposes of section 169 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 (mode of prosecution and penalty for illegal practices) as an illegal practice,

(b) for the purposes of section 173 of that Act (incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice) as an illegal practice,

(c) for the purposes of section 178 of that Act (prosecution of offences committed outside the United Kingdom) as an offence under that Act,

(d) for the purposes of section 179 of that Act (offences by associations) as an illegal practice, and

(e) for the purposes of section 112 of the Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (incapacities on conviction of corrupt or illegal practice) as an illegal practice.

Application of defined terms in PPERA 2000

26 (1) In this Schedule, the following expressions have the same meaning as in PPERA 2000: “business”; “market value”; “minor party”; “property”; “registered party”; “treasurer” (see section 160(1) of that Act).

(2) In the case of references to the treasurer of a registered party, see section 25(7) of that Act (which is inserted by paragraph 4(3) of Schedule 6 to this Act).