Registration of Political Parties Act 1998

Miscellaneous and general

19 False statements: offence

(1) It is an offence knowingly or recklessly to make a statement to the registrar which—

(a) is made, or purports to be made, on behalf of a party for any purpose of this Act, and

(b) is false in any material particular.

(2) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 5 on the standard scale.

20 Orders and regulations

(1) Any order or regulations under this Act shall be made by statutory instrument.

(2) Any order or regulations under this Act, except for an order under section 25, shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

21 Money

(1) There shall be paid out of money provided by Parliament any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable out of money so provided under any other enactment.

(2) Any fees received by the registrar by virtue of this Act shall be paid into the Consolidated Fund.

22 Interpretation

In this Act—

• “local election”, in relation to Northern Ireland, has the same meaning as in the [1962 c. 14 (N.I.).] Electoral Law Act Northern Ireland) 1962,

• “local government election” means an election which is a local government election within the meaning of section 191, 203 or 204 of the Representation of the [1983 c. 2.] People Act 1983,

• “party” includes any person or organisation,

• “the register” means the register of political parties, and

• “the registrar” means the person required by section 1(2) to maintain the register.

23 Consequential amendments

Schedule 3 (consequential amendments and modifications) shall have effect.

24 Short title

This Act may be cited as the Registration of Political Parties Act 1998.

25 Commencement

(1) The following provisions shall come into force on the day on which this Act is passed—

(a) sections 20, 21, 22, 24, 26 and this section, and

(b) any other provision so far as it contains power to make subordinate legislation.

(2) The following provisions shall come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by order appoint—

(a) sections 13, 14 and 15,

(b) Schedule 2, and

(c) paragraph 3 of Schedule 3.

(3) The other provisions of this Act shall come into force at the end of the period of two weeks beginning with the day on which it is passed.

26 Extent

This Act extends to Northern Ireland.