Constitutional Reform and Governance Bill

With this it will be convenient to discuss the following:Amendment 126, in clause 27, page 14, line 10, after '(1)', insert 'Save as provided for in section 24(1A),'. Amendment 127, in clause 26, page 13, line 39, at end insert 'or if the treaty transfers competences from the United Kingdom Parliament to the European Union.'. Amendment 128, in clause 28, page 14, line 44, at end add- '(5) In this Part, "competences" means areas of supplementary, shared or exclusive jurisdiction.'. New clause 68- Referendum on treaties which transfer competences to the EU '(1) This section shall apply in the case of a treaty which transfers competences from the United Kingdom Parliament to the European Union. (2) A referendum shall be held throughout the United Kingdom and Gibraltar on the day specified by a Minister of the Crown. (3) The question to be asked in the referendum is whether the British people approve the ratification of the treaty, "Yes" or "No". (4) A person is entitled to vote in the referendum if, on the day it is held, he is- (a) an individual who would be entitled to vote as an elector at a parliamentary election in a constituency in the United Kingdom; (b) a peer who would be entitled to vote as an elector at a local government election in an electoral area in Great Britain or at a local election in an electoral area in Northern Ireland; or (c) a Commonwealth citizen who would be entitled to vote in Gibraltar as an elector at a European Parliamentary election. (5) A Minister of the Crown may by order make provision in relation to the referendum which- (a) determines the referendum period for the purposes of Part 7 of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c.41); and (b) requires ballot papers to be used by voters in Wales, after having set out the question and the possible answers in English, to set them out again, with equal prominence, in Welsh. (c) makes provisions as to the conduct of the referendum, entitlement to vote in the referendum and legal challenge to the referendum result. (6) Every power of a Minister of the Crown to make an order under this section shall be exercisable by statutory instrument. (7) An order under this section may be made only if a draft of the order has been- (a) laid before Parliament; and (b) approved by resolution of each House. (8) A treaty subject to Section 24, (1A) can come in to force in accordance with provisions made by the Secretary of State by order made by Statutory Instrument provided- (a) the Chief Counting Officer has given a certificate under section 128(6) of the Political Parties, Elections and Referendums Act 2000 (c.41) certifying the outcome of the referendum; and (b) the total number of votes certified as cast in favour of the answer "Yes" exceeds the total number certified as cast in favour of the answer "No".'.