 The commissions had been created under the House of Commons (Redistribution of Seats) Act 1944, and their initial reviews of constituencies had been implemented by the Representation of the People Act 1948.Under the 1949 Act, each commission was to make its first periodic report within seven years of the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1948.Subsequent reports were to be issued not less than three and not more than seven years after the first periodic report.