The Scottish Ministers may give local authorities directions of a general or specific character as to the exercise of their functions under this Act.

Such directions may be given to all local authorities, to a particular local authority or to local authorities of a particular description.

Subsections (1) and (2) are without prejudice to section 7(10) and (11).

If the Scottish Ministers so direct, the functions of a local authority under any of sections 25 to 30 and schedule 5 are exercisable by them in place of the authority to the extent specified in the direction; and for the purpose of such exercise, references in those provisions and this Part to a local authority are, so far as necessary, to be read as references to the Scottish Ministers.