12In section 52 (discharge of registration duties)—
(a)in subsection (1) for the words " registration duties " there shall be substituted the words " functions under this Act " ;
(b)in subsection (2) the words " by the Secretary of State or, in Scotland " shall cease to have effect;
(c)in subsection (3) after " by", in the second place where it occurs, there shall be inserted the words " or with respect to"; and
(d)for subsections (4) and (5) there shall be substituted—
“(4)It shall be the duty—
(a)in England and Wales, of a district council or London borough council, and
(b)in Scotland, of the council of a region or islands area,
to assign such officers to assist the registration officer as may be required for carrying out his functions under this Act.
(5)Subsection (2) above does not apply in Northern Ireland but sections 14(5) and 14A(2) and (3) of the [1962 c. 14 (N.I.).] Electoral Law Act (Northern Ireland) 1962 (appointment of temporary deputy and delegation to assistants) shall have effect in relation to the Chief Electoral Officer for Northern Ireland in his capacity as registration officer.”.