Schedule 3: Minor and consequential amendments

50.     These amendments repeal passages in legislation which are subsumed or overtaken by the changes made by the present Act; or substitute new terminology for old ("MEP" for "representative to the European Parliament"; "electoral region" for "constituency"). The legislation amended is:

• the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978;

• the European Parliament (Pay and Pensions) Act 1979;

• the Representation of the People Act 1985; and

• the European Parliamentary Elections (Changes to the Franchise and Qualification of Representatives) Regulations 1994 (S.I.1994/342)

Schedule 4: Repeals and Revocations

51.     The following provisions of this Act are repealed.

• Section 8(1) states that the provisions in the Act apply only to the election of MEPs in the United Kingdom. This is now clear from the amendments made by the present Act.

• Schedule 1, paragraph 1 deals with the number of members of the European Parliament to be elected in the United Kingdom. It is replaced by the new section 2 inserted by section 1 of the present Act.

• Schedule 1, paragraph 2(1) deals with the franchise for elections to the European Parliament. It is replaced by the new section 3C inserted by section 1 of this Act.

• Schedule 1, paragraph 2(2) sets out the voting system in Northern Ireland. It is replaced by identical provisions in the new section 3A inserted by section 1 of the present Act.

• In Schedule 1, paragraph 2(3)(a) the words "(including the registration of electors and the limitation of candidates' election expenses)". Paragraph 2(3) gives the Secretary of State power to make regulations. Specific references to election expenses are now contained in the new sub-paragraph (3A) of paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to the Act which is set out in Schedule 2 to the present Act.

• Schedule 1, paragraph 2(4)(c) permits regulations to be made which amend provisions relating to the registration of Parliamentary and local government electors. This power has never been used and is no longer needed.

The European Parliamentary Elections Act 1981

52.     This Act deals with European Parliamentary constituency boundaries. It is no longer relevant since constituencies are to be replaced by electoral regions.

The Representation Of The People Act 1985

53.     Section 3(1) deals with the inclusion of British citizens overseas who are registered to vote in Parliamentary elections in the franchise for European Parliamentary Elections. It is superseded by the new Section 3C(2) of the 1978 Act inserted by section 1 of this Act.

The Parliamentary Constituencies Act 1986

54.     Schedule 3, paragraph 5 of this 1986 Act amends Schedule 2 to the European Parliamentary Elections Act 1978. The whole of Schedule 2 to the 1978 Act is replaced by the Schedule set out in Schedule 1 to this Act.

The European Parliamentary Elections Act 1993

55.     Section 1 deals with the number of representatives to the European Parliament. This is superseded by the provisions of the new section 2 of the 1978 Act inserted by section 1 of this Act.

56.     Section 2 and the Schedule are concerned with European Parliamentary constituencies and are no longer relevant since constituencies are to be replaced by electoral regions.

The Local Government (Wales) Act 1994

57.     Schedule 16, paragraph 54(1) amends paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 to the 1978 Act. This is replaced by the new paragraph 4 of Schedule 1 set out in paragraph 9 of Schedule 2 to this Act.

58.     Schedule 16, paragraph 54(2) amends paragraph 5A of Schedule 2 to the 1978 Act. The whole of Schedule 2 to the 1978 Act is replaced by the Schedule set out in Schedule 1 to this Act.

The European Parliamentary Elections (Changes To The Franchise And Qualification Of Representatives) Regulations 1994

59.     Regulation 4(3) deals with candidates' consent to nomination. It is being revoked because new arrangements will be needed to enable candidates standing on a party list to indicate their consent to nomination.

PASSAGE THROUGH PARLIAMENT

60.     The details of the Bill's passage through Parliament were as follows.

1997-98 Session

• 29 October 1997: First reading in House of Commons (Bill 65 of the 1997-98 Session). Hansard col. 914.

• 25 November 1997: Second Reading in House of Commons. Hansard cols. 803-877.

• 24 & 26 February and 5 March 1998: House of Commons Committee Stage (Committee of the Whole House). Hansard cols. 190-272, 509-596 and 1210-1249.

• 12 March 1998: Report Stage and Third Reading in House of Commons. Hansard cols. 763-830.

• 13 March 1998: First Reading in House of Lords. (HL Bill 88 of the 1997-98 Session.) Hansard col. 417.

• 1 April 1998: Delegated Powers and Deregulation Select Committee (HL) Fifteenth Report on ... European Parliamentary Elections Bill (HL 92 1997-98).

• 9 April 1998: Second Reading in House of Lords. Hansard cols. 856-901.

• 24 and 25 June 1998: Committee Stage in House of Lords (Committee of the Whole House). Hansard cols. 247-326 and 336-340; 351-378.

• 12 October 1998: Report Stage in House of Lords. Hansard cols. 701-753.

• 20 October 1998: Third Reading in House of Lords. Hansard cols.1316-1336. Bill returned to House of Commons with amendments.

• 27 October 1998: House of Commons considers Lords amendments and disagrees with amendments 1, 2, 3 and 4. Reasons reported and agreed to (see HL Bill 159). Hansard cols. 163-212.

• 4 November 1998: House of Lords insists on its amendments (see Bill 255). Hansard cols. 272-291.

• 10 November 1998: House of Commons considers Lords amendments and disagrees them (see HL Bill 162). Hansard cols. 206-248.

• 12 November 1998: House of Lords insists on its amendments. Bill returned to Commons with reasons (see Bill 260). Hansard cols. 846-871.

• 16 November 1998: House of Commons rejects Lords amendments. Hansard cols. 673-721.

• 17 November 1998: House of Lords gives reasons for insisting on its amendments (see Bill 262). House of Commons rejects Lords amendments (see HL Bill 166). House of Lords insists on its amendments and returns Bill to Commons. Hansard cols. 1128-1154.

• 18 November 1998: House of Commons rejects Lords amendments. Hansard cols. 956-998. House of Lords insists on amendments and returns Bill to Commons. Hansard cols. 1341-1362. Government statements explains Bill now lost for 1997-98 session: Commons Hansard col. 1042 and during Lords debate.

1998-99 Session

• 27 November 1998: First Reading in House of Commons. Hansard col. 437.

• 2 December 1998: All House of Commons stages. Hansard cols. 917-1016.

• 3 December 1998: First Reading in House of Lords. Hansard col. 606.

• 15 December 1998: Second reading in House of Lords. Hansard cols. 1308-1340.

• After rejection by the House of Lords on 15 December 1998, the Bill was, in accordance with section 2 of the Parliament Act 1911, presented for Royal Assent which was given on 14 January 1999.