General
The section is linked to the set of sections on elections (sections 1-12) and to section 86 which removes the guaranteed minimum level of Scottish representation in the UK Parliament and prevents the amalgamation of Orkney and Shetland with another UK Parliamentary constituency.
The Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Scotland is established under section 2 of the Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986. Its function is to keep under review the distribution of seats at elections to the UK Parliament. The Commission reports to the Secretary of State under section 3(1) and (3) of the 1986 Act and its recommendations may be given effect to by Order in Council.
These functions of the Boundary Commission were transferred to the Electoral Commission established under section 1 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c. 41) by virtue of section 16 and the amendments made by Schedule 3 to that Act. As a consequence the function of carrying out reviews of the seats in Scotland will be carried out by the Boundary Committee for Scotland established by the Electoral Commission under section 14 of that Act. In consequence, the provisions of paragraphs 3 to 8 of this Schedule were amended by paragraphs 17 to 24 of Schedule 3 to that Act. These notes therefore describe the position as it exists as at September 2001 under Schedule 1 to the Scotland Act, as originally enacted prior to the amendments to it come into force.