The function of “the appropriate Minister" under section 39(6) is only transferred so far as it relates to—
(a)internal drainage boards; and
(b)water and sewerage undertakers and the Environment Agency (which are treated as statutory undertakers for these purposes by virtue of paragraph 1(1) and (2)(viii) of Schedule 25 to the Water Act 1989 (c.15) (as amended by the Environment Act 1995 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 1996 (S.I. 1996/593)).