Political Parties and Elections Bill

Amendments 77 and 78 77: Clause 7, page 5, line 41, at end insert— "11B(1) The chief executive of the Commission may by giving notice to the Speaker’s Committee— (a) designate a particular post on the staff of the Commission, and (b) specify as the relevant period for that post, for the purposes of paragraph 11A(2)(aa), a period of two years or more, if the chief executive reasonably believes that it is necessary to do so in order to maintain public confidence in the effectiveness of the Commission in carrying out any of its functions. (2) The period specified under sub-paragraph (1)(b) may not be more than five years. (3) In deciding what that period should be, the chief executive of the Commission shall take into account— (a) the level of seniority of the post; (b) how likely it is that any holder of the post will be required to deal with politically sensitive matters. (4) Each notice under sub-paragraph (1) must relate to only one post. (5) A notice under sub-paragraph (1)— (a) has effect from the day on which it is received by the Speaker’s Committee, and (b) (subject to sub-paragraphs (6) and (7)) expires at the end of the period of three years beginning with that day. (6) Sub-paragraph (5)(b) does not prevent a further notice being given under sub-paragraph (1) in relation to the post in question, either— (a) before the previous notice would have expired, or (b) at any time after the expiry of the previous notice. A further notice received by the Speaker’s Committee before the previous notice would have expired supersedes the previous notice. (7) If the chief executive of the Commission gives notice (a "cancellation notice") to the Speaker’s Committee cancelling a notice under sub-paragraph (1), the notice under that sub-paragraph ceases to have effect— (a) on the day on which the cancellation notice is received by the Speaker’s Committee, or (b) (if later) on such date as may be specified in the cancellation notice. (8) Before giving a notice under this paragraph the chief executive of the Commission shall consult the Speaker’s Committee. (9) The Commission shall publish, in such manner as they consider appropriate, information setting out the effect of all notices under sub-paragraph (1) that are in force at any particular time."" 78: Clause 7, page 5, line 41, at end insert— "( ) The amendment made by subsection (2) does not apply to the appointment of a person— (a) to assist the Boundary Committee for England in the performance of its functions, (b) to assist the Commission in carrying out functions transferred to them by an order under section 18(1) of the 2000 Act (transfer of functions of Local Government Commission for England), or (c) to perform duties including either or both of those." Amendments 77 and 78 agreed. Clause 7, as amended, agreed.