Modification of section 26 of the 1953 Act
3.—(1) Amend section 26 of the 1953 Act (quarterly returns to be made by registrar to superintendent registrar) as follows.
(2) In subsection (1)(b), for the words “deliver to the superintendent” to the end of the subsection, substitute—
“either—
deliver to the superintendent registrar in the prescribed form a certificate to that effect under his hand, or
provide the superintendent registrar with a certificate to that effect in an approved electronic form.
(1A) The duty imposed by subsection (1)(a) of this section does not apply, as regards any particular three-month period, to any registrar who provides the relevant information to the superintendent registrar in an approved electronic form within the time allowed.
(2) For these purposes—
(a)the relevant information is the information contained in each entry mentioned in subsection (1)(a) of this section made during the three-month period in question; and
(b)the time allowed, in relation to each such entry, is the period of seven days beginning with the day on which the entry is made.”.
(3) In subsection (2), for “the foregoing subsection” substitute “subsection (1) of this section”.
(4) After subsection (2), insert—
“(3) Where the superintendent registrar is provided with any certificate or information in electronic form under subsection (1)(b)(ii) or (1A) of this section he shall if satisfied of its authencity apply an electronic signature to it.
(4) In this section—
“approved” means approved by the Registrar General;
“electronic signature” has the meaning given by section 7(2) of the Electronic Communications Act 2000; and
“three-month period” means any such period of three months as is mentioned in subsection (1) of this section.”.