The Industrial and Provident Societies Act 1893 is amended by the substitution of the following section for section 14B:

''14B.

(1) Save to the extent that the rules of the registered society provide otherwise, a registered society need not hold a general meeting at a physical venue but may conduct the meeting wholly or partly by the use of electronic communications technology as long as all attendees have a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting in 35 accordance with this section.

(2) Where a registered society conducts a general meeting wholly or partly by the use of electronic communications technology, it shall -

(a) make provision for participation in the meeting by providing or facilitating the use of electronic communications technology for that purpose, and

(b) ensure that any members who participate in the meeting using such technology are provided with the means to cast a vote without being physically present, either in person or by proxy, at the meeting.

(3) The use of electronic communications technology pursuant to 10 subsection (2) may be made subject only to such requirements or restrictions put in place by the registered society as are necessary to ensure the identification of attendees and the security of the electronic communications technology, to the extent that such requirements or restrictions are proportionate to the achievement of those objectives.