Page:Representation of the Peoples Act 1918 (ukpga 19180064).pdf/12

264 the substitution of the "Local Government Board" for the " Treasury ") as may be required, and including in subsection (2) the substitution of the words "next before the thirtieth day of September, nineteen hundred and fourteen" for the words "next before the passing of this Act."

In this section the expression "assistant overseer" includes any person executing any of the duties of overseer, and receiving payment therefor.

Register for university constituencies.

19. The foregoing provisions of this Part of this Act shall not apply to university constituencies, but the governing body of every university forming, or forming part of, a university constituency shall cause a register to be kept in such form and made up, if desired, to such dates as they may direct, of persons entitled to vote in respect of a qualification at their university, and shall make the register available for the purpose of university elections for the constituency, and shall on the application of any person allow that person at all. reasonable times to inspect and take extracts from the said register:

Provided that the governing body may direct that a person who before the passing of this Act has received a degree, but was not entitled to vote in respect thereof, shall have no right to be registered unless he makes a claim for the purpose.

The governing body of any such university may charge such fee as they think fit, not exceeding one pound, in respect of registration to any person who receives a degree at their university after the passing of this Act, or who has received a degree before the passing of this Act but was not entitled to vote in respect thereof.

Proportional representation in certain university constituencies, and certain other constituencies if scheme for selection is approved.

20.—(1) At a contested election for a university constituency, where there are two or mare members to be elected, any election of the full number of members shall be according to the principle of proportional representation, each elector having one transferable vote as defined by this Act.

(2)—(a) His Majesty may appoint Commissioners to prepare as soon as may be after the passing of this Act a scheme under which as nearly as possible one hundred members shall be elected to the House of Commons at a general election on the principle of proportional representation for constituencies in Great Britain returning three or more members.

(b) The number of members of the House of Commons as fixed under this Act shall not be increased by any such scheme. For the purpose of such scheme the Commissioners shall (after holding such local inquiries as they may deem necessary)