The decision to hold interim reviews of parliamentary constituencies in England and Wales, and the timing of such reviews, rests with the Boundary Commissions for England and Wales respectively, which are independent of Government. The Boundary Commissions for England and Wales will give notice of any interim reviews that they intend to carry out.
The Boundary Commission for England is currently conducting an interim review of certain constituencies in Northamptonshire and Somerset. Local inquiries have recently been held in relation to the constituencies that are the subject of the review, and the Assistant Commissioners who conducted the inquiries will now prepare their reports for consideration by the Boundary Commission. I understand that the Boundary Commission has decided to suspend the interim review it had previously announced in Northumberland and Wiltshire.
The Boundary Commission for Wales is currently carrying out an interim review of the parliamentary constituencies of Neath and Brecon and Radnorshire and I understand that it is expected to be completed shortly.
The Boundary Commissions, once they have completed an interim review, will submit a report of their recommendations to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor, who will lay the report before Parliament together with a draft Order to give effect to the new boundaries, having allowed a reasonable period for consideration of the report, and, in particular, any representations that may be made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Justice and Lord Chancellor in respect of specific recommendations. If agreed by Parliament, the report’s recommendations will come into force at the next general election.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland proposes to lay the recent report of the Boundary Commission for Northern Ireland before Parliament at the earliest opportunity with a draft of an Order in Council giving effect without modifications to the recommendations contained in the report. Again, if agreed by Parliament, the report’s recommendations will come into force at the next general election.