9

1 Boundaries Scotland may if it thinks fit cause a local inquiry to be held in respect of any constituency or constituencies. 2 If Boundaries Scotland receive any relevant representations objecting to a proposed recommendation for the alteration of a constituency it must not make the recommendation unless since the publication of the notice under paragraph 7(2) a local inquiry has been held in respect of the constituency. 3 If a local inquiry was held in respect of the constituency before the publication of the notice under paragraph 7(2), sub-paragraph (2) above does not apply if Boundaries Scotland after considering— a the matters discussed at the inquiry, b the nature of the relevant representations received, and c any other relevant circumstances, think that a further local inquiry is not justified. 4 A relevant representation is a representation made in accordance with paragraph 7(2)(b)— a by the council for an area which is wholly or partly comprised in the constituency; b by a body of not less than 100 persons entitled to vote as electors at an election for membership of the Parliament held in the constituency.