Synodical Government Measure 1969

[F149(1)The total number of the members of the House of Laity elected by the diocesan electors of each diocese (“directly elected members”) and the representatives elected under the Channel Islands (Representation) Measure 1931 must not exceed 195.E

(2)Each diocese must have at least three directly elected members, other than the diocese of Sodor and Man which is to elect only one member.

(3)The total number of directly elected members is to be decided by resolution of the General Synod no later than the last day of February in the fifth year after the most recent election of the House of Laity.

(4)A resolution under paragraph (3) must apportion the number of directly elected members between the province of Canterbury and the province of York—

(a)in the proportion of 70 to 30 (or as close to that as possible), or

(b)if the resolution specifies some other proportion, in that other proportion (or as close to it as possible).

(5)A resolution under paragraph (3) must divide the number of directly elected members among the dioceses so that the number of members to be elected by each diocese is as nearly as possible proportionate to [F2the total of—

(a)the number of names on the rolls of the parishes in that diocese, and

(b)the number of names on the mission initiative rolls for mission initiatives in that diocese.]

(6)The method for making the division required under paragraph (5) is to be specified by the Business Committee.

(7)The secretary of each diocesan synod must, no later than 1 August in the fourth year after the most recent election of the House of Laity, certify to the Clerk to the General Synod [F3the total of—

(a)the number of the names on the rolls of the parishes in that diocese, as notified to the secretary under Rule 10, and

(b)the number of the names on the mission initiative rolls for the mission initiatives in the diocese, as notified to the secretary under Rule 27D.]

(8)The number of directly elected members for a diocese must, once it has been decided by the General Synod, be certified as soon as is practicable to the secretary of the diocesan synod.

(9)If the General Synod is dissolved, or a dissolution is pending, but a resolution under paragraph (3) has not been made, the Presidents or the Synod may give directions as to deciding and certifying the number of directly elected members for each diocese.

(10)Directions under paragraph (9) may provide that the numbers decided and certified on the most recent occasion are to be treated as having been decided and certified for the purposes of the coming election.

[F4(11)For the purposes of paragraphs (5)(b) and (7)(b), if a mission initiative is in more than one diocese, the number of names on the mission initiative roll is to be divided equally between each diocese (but if it is not so divisible without remainder, the remainder is to be ignored); and the reference to the number of names on the mission initiative roll maintained in the diocese for that initiative is to be construed accordingly.

(12)The reference in paragraph (7)(b) to notifications under Rule 27D includes, in the case of any mission initiative roll established under rule 29A of the Old Rules, a reference to the notification given under rule paragraph (7)(b) of that rule; and “the Old Rules” has the meaning given in Rule 27A(7).]]