Hallmarking Act 1973

20 Local inquiries

(1) The Secretary of State may cause a local inquiry to be held in connection with the discharge of any of his functions under this Act or in any case where it appears to the Secretary of State to be expedient to do so in connection with any matter arising under this Act or otherwise in connection with any of the functions of assay offices or the Council, and—

(a) in relation to any inquiry held in England or Wales, subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (evidence and costs at local inquiries), but subsection (4) (costs of department) only in a case where the Secretary of State so directs, shall apply as if the inquiry were held in pursuance of subsection (1) of that section;

(b) in relation to any inquiry held in Scotland, subsections (2) to (9) of section 355 of the [1947 c. 43.] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1947 (provisions as to local inquiries) shall apply as if the inquiry were held in pursuance of subsection (1) of that section ; and

(c) in relation to any inquiry held in Northern Ireland, section 23 of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954 (inquiries and investigations) shall apply as if this Act were an enactment, and the Secretary of State were a Minister, within the meaning of that Act.

(2) The person appointed to hold an inquiry under the preceding subsection shall report the results thereof in writing to the Secretary of State, who shall publish the report together with such observations, if any, as he thinks fit to make thereon.