196.Section 101 provides that the controls on the conduct of referendums set out in Part VII apply to any referendum held throughout the United Kingdom, one or more of England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, or any English region. The provisions do not apply to referendums held under section 36 of the Government of Wales Act 1998 (subsection (3)). There have been eight referendums to which the provisions of Part VII would have applied had they been in force at the time. The statutory authority for these referendums, the questions asked and the dates of the polls are set out in the table below:
197.Subsection (2) defines a referendum as a referendum or poll held by or under an Act of Parliament on one or more specified questions. Subsection (4) provides that the Secretary of State may, by order, apply the arrangements for the conduct of referendums contained in this Part from the date of introduction of a Bill providing for a particular referendum.
Commentary on Sections Part VII : Referendums Section 101 : Referendums to which this Part applies