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Rules for the distribution of seats

5Number of parliamentary constituencies

In rule 1 of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act (number of parliamentary constituencies), for “600” substitute “650”.

6Taking account of local government boundaries

(1)Rule 5 of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act (factors a Boundary Commission may take into account) is amended in accordance with subsections (2) and (3).

(2)In rule 5(1) (list of factors), for paragraph (b) substitute—

(b)local government boundaries which exist, or are prospective, on the review date;.

(3)After rule 5(1) insert—

(1A)In the case of a local government boundary which is prospective on the review date, it is that boundary rather than any existing boundary which it replaces, which may be taken into account under sub-paragraph (1)(b).

(4)In rule 9 of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act (interpretation), after sub-paragraph (3) insert—

(3A)A local government boundary is “prospective” on a particular date if, on that date—

(a)it is specified in a provision of primary or secondary legislation, but

(b)that provision is not yet in force for all purposes.

(3B)For that purpose—

(a)“primary legislation” means—

(i)an Act of Parliament,

(ii)an Act of the Scottish Parliament,

(iii)an Act of Senedd Cymru, or

(iv)Northern Ireland legislation, and

(b)“secondary legislation” means an instrument made under primary legislation.

7Protected constituencies

(1)Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act is amended as follows.

(2)In rule 6(2) (protected constituencies), after paragraph (b) insert ;

(c)a constituency named Ynys Môn, comprising the area of the Isle of Anglesey County Council.

(3)In rule 8(5) (the allocation method)—

(a)in paragraph (b), for “6(2)” substitute “6(2)(a) and (b)”, and

(b)after paragraph (b) insert ;

(c)the electorate of Wales shall be treated for the purposes of this rule as reduced by the electorate of the constituency mentioned in rule 6(2)(c).

(4)In rule 9(7) (references to areas in rule 6)—

(a)after “6” insert “(2)(a) or (b)”, and

(b)after “2011” insert “, and the reference in rule 6(2)(c) to the area of the Isle of Anglesey County Council is to the area as it existed on the coming into force of the Schedule to the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 2020”.

8Registers used to determine the “electorate” in relation to the 2023 reports

(1)In rule 9(2) of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act (definition of the “electorate”), for “The” substitute “Subject to sub-paragraph (2A), the”.

(2)After rule 9(2) of that Schedule insert—

(2A)In relation to a report under section 3(1) that a Boundary Commission is required (by section 3(2)) to submit before 1 July 2023, the “electorate” of the United Kingdom, or of a part of the United Kingdom or a constituency, is the total number of persons whose names appear on a register of parliamentary electors (maintained under section 9 of the Representation of the People Act 1983) in respect of addresses in the United Kingdom, or in that part or that constituency, as that register has effect on 2 March 2020.

9Alteration of the “review date” in relation to the 2023 reports

In rule 9(5) of Schedule 2 to the 1986 Act (definition of the “review date”), for “two years and ten months before that date” substitute

(a)1 December 2020, in the case of a report required to be submitted before 1 July 2023, and

(b)in the case of a report required to be submitted before any other particular date, the date which is two years and 10 months before that date.

(For example, 1 December 2028 in the case of a report required to be submitted before 1 October 2031).