European Parliamentary Elections Act 1993

1 Increase in number of representatives to the European Parliament

(1) In the [1978 c. 10.] European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978 (in this Act referred to as “the principal Act”), in section 2 (number of representatives)—

(a) for “81” there shall be substituted “87”;

(b) in paragraph (a) (England) for “66” there shall be substituted “71”; and

(c) in paragraph (c) (Wales) for “4” there shall be substituted “5”.

(2) In paragraph 1 of Schedule 1 to the principal Act (European Parliamentary constituencies), in sub-paragraph (2)—

(a) for “79” there shall be substituted “85”;

(b) in paragraph (a) (England) for “66” there shall be substituted “71”; and

(c) in paragraph (c) (Wales) for “4” there shall be substituted “5”.

2 Initial drawing up of the new constituencies

(1) The provisions of this section have effect for the purpose of determining the European Parliamentary constituencies into which England and Wales shall initially be divided in order to give effect to paragraph 1(2)(a) and (c) of Schedule 1 to the principal Act, as amended by section 1 above.

(2) For each of England and Wales there shall be a European Parliamentary Constituencies Committee (in this Act referred to as a “Committee”) appointed (whether before or after the passing of this Act) by the Secretary of State; and the provisions of Part I of the Schedule to this Act shall have effect with respect to each Committee.

(3) Part II of the Schedule to this Act (which is derived, with modifications, from provisions of Part I of Schedule 2 to the principal Act) shall have effect with respect to reports of the Committees and Orders in Council consequent thereon.

(4) Parts II and III of Schedule 2 to the principal Act (criteria for dividing Great Britain into European Parliamentary constituencies) shall have effect in relation to reports of the Committees and Orders in Council consequent thereon as they have effect in relation to reports of Boundary Commissions and Orders in Council under that Schedule, except that for the definition of “enumeration date” in Part III there shall be substituted—

• “enumeration date” means 16th February 1993.

(5) For the purposes of the principal Act, an Order in Council which has been made under Part II of the Schedule to this Act shall have effect as if it had been made under Schedule 2 to the principal Act.

(6) Any appointment made or other thing done by or in relation to a Committee at a time before the passing of this Act shall be regarded as valid if it would have been valid at that time, had this Act then been in force.

3 Short title, consequential amendment and commencement

(1) This Act may be cited as the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1993.

(2) In section 1(2) of the [1972 c. 68.] European Communities Act 1972, in the definition of “the Treaties”, and “the Community Treaties”, after paragraph (k) there shall be inserted the words “and

(l) the decision, of 1st February 1993, of the Council amending the Act concerning the election of the representatives of the European Parliament by direct universal suffrage annexed to Council Decision 76/787/ECSC, EEC, Euratom of 20th September 1976.”

(3) Section 1 of this Act shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order made by statutory instrument appoint; and different days may be so appointed for different purposes.