(1)The registration areas for the purposes of this Part of this Act shall be the districts and islands areas.
(2)The Secretary of State may after consultation with the local authority or local authorities concerned, make directions—
(a)as to the groupings of registration areas, or parts there of, or
(b)deeming any part of a registration area to be a separate registration area.
(3)Where the Secretary of State made a direction under subsection (2) above which came into force on 16th May 1975, he shall be deemed to have consulted the local authority or local authorities concerned for the purposes of that subsection if he has consulted either the existing or the new local authority or local authorities before that date.
(4)Any reference in this Part of this Act to a registration area shall include a reference to a grouping of registration areas or parts thereof and any area deemed to be a separate registration area by virtue of a direction under subsection (2)(b) above.