First Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies

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The First Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies was a review of constituency boundaries for the Westminster Parliament in the United Kingdom. It reported in 1954 and its recommendations took effect in 1955. Legal action over the review ultimately resulted in the passage of the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1958.^[1]

Constituencies created, abolished or altered

Berkshire (minus 1 seat)

• Reading Borough Constituency created by the merger of the majority of the two abolished seats of Reading North and Reading South. The Tilehurst Ward was transferred from Reading North to Newbury County Constituency, the East Ward from Reading South to Wokingham County Constituency^[2]

Devon (boundary changes)

• Boundaries of the borough constituencies of Plymouth Devonport and Plymouth Sutton: the wards of Drake and St Andrews were transferred from Sutton to Devonport in exchange for the wards of Peverell and Tamerton.^[3]

Essex (plus 2 seats, boundary changes)

• Boundaries of Romford Borough Constituency altered, with Brentwood Urban District transferred to Billericay County Constituency
• Boundaries of Woodford Borough Constituency altered, with Chigwell Urban District transferred to a new Chigwell County Constituency
• Boundaries of Chelmsford County Constituency altered, with Ongar Rural District transferred to new Chigwell County Constituency.
• Chigwell County Constituency formed from parts of existing seats of Woodford (Chigwell Urban District) and Chelmsford (Ongar Rural District).
• Existing Billericay County Constituency divided into two: a new Billericay County Constituency consisting of Billericay Urban District and Brentwood Urban District (transferred from Romford Borough Constituency); and South East Essex County Constituency consisting of the three urban districts of Benfleet, Canvey Island and Rayleigh.^[4]

References

• Youngs, Frederic A, Jr. (1979). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol.I: Southern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-901050-67-9. 
• Youngs, Frederic A, Jr. (1991). Guide to the Local Administrative Units of England, Vol.2: Northern England. London: Royal Historical Society. ISBN 0-86193-127-0.