HC Deb 24 October 1972 vol 843 cc1002-3

Lords Amendment: No. 94, in page 26, line 10, at end insert: (1B) In the event of the death of a sheriff the acting returning officer shall discharge all the duties of sheriff as returning officer until another sheriff is appointed and has made the declaration of office. (3A) Section 25 of the Sheriffs Act 1887 (Death of sheriff) shall not authorise the under-sheriff to discharge the duties of returning officer.

Mr. Carlisle

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

This is a technical Amendment. It ensures that in the event of the death of a sheriff during the period of an election his formal duties as returning officer are discharged by the district council officer who is acting returning officer. The duties of the sheriff as returning officer at an election are in any case limited to the formal duties of receiving and returning the writ. The rest of the duties fall on the deputy.

Question put and agreed to.

Subsequent Lords Amendment agreed to.

Forward to