Constitutional Convention Bill [HL]

1 Convention

(1)

A convention is to be held to consider and make recommendations on the
constitution of the United Kingdom.

(2)

The Secretary of State must make regulations to—

(a)

appoint a day on which the convention must commence its operations,

(b)

make fair and transparent rules about how the convention is to operate
and how evidence is to be adduced,

(c)

make further provision about the terms of reference prescribed under
section 2 ,

(d)

specify how those who are to be part of the convention are to be
chosen in accordance with section 4 , and

(e)

provide for the cost of the convention.

(3)

The date appointed under subsection (2) (a) must not be later than three
months after the day on which this Act is passed.

2 Terms of reference

The convention must consider the following terms of reference—

(a)

the devolution of legislative and fiscal competence to and within
Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland,

(b)

the devolution of legislative and fiscal competence to local authorities
within the United Kingdom,

(c)

the reform of the electoral system,

(d)

the reform of the House of Lords,

(e)

constitutional matters to be considered in further conventions, and

(f)

procedures to govern the consideration and implementation of any
future constitutional reforms.

3 Recommendations

(1)

The convention must publish recommendations within the period of one year
beginning with the day appointed under section 1 (2) (a) .

(2)

The Secretary of State must lay responses to each of the recommendations
before each House of Parliament within six months beginning with the day
on which the recommendations are published.

4 Composition

(1)

The convention must be composed of representatives of the following—

(a)

registered political parties within the United Kingdom,

(b)

local authorities,

(c)

the nations and regions of the United Kingdom.

(2)

At least 50% of the members of the convention must not be employed in a
role which can reasonably be considered to be political.

5 Regulations

Regulations under this Act must be made by statutory instrument and may
not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before, and
approved by a resolution of, each House of Parliament.

6 Financial provision

There is to be paid out of money provided by Parliament—

(a)

any expenditure incurred under or by virtue of this Act by a Minister
of the Crown, and

(b)

any increase attributable to this Act in the sums payable under any
other Act out of money so provided.

7 Extent, commencement and short title

(1)

This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

(2)

This Act comes into force on the day on which it is passed.

(3)

This Act may be cited as the Constitutional Convention Act 2021.