(1)On the application of the authorised undertaker, the Scottish Ministers may, by order, extend, or further extend, the period referred to in subsection (1) of section 27 above provided that—
(a)such application is made prior to the expiry of the period or any extension to it; and
(b)the period referred to in that subsection, taken together with any extension to it, shall not exceed 10 years in total.
(2)If the Scottish Ministers extend, or further extend, the period referred to in subsection (1) of section 27 above, subsection (2) of that section shall have effect as if, for the period referred to in it, there were substituted the extended, or further extended, period.
(3)The power of the Scottish Ministers to make orders under subsection (1) above shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.
(4)A statutory instrument containing such an order shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of the Parliament.