If it appears to the Secretary of State that, by reason of special circumstances affecting a locality, it is appropriate that the Family Practitioner Committee for that locality should not be in accordance with paragraph 6 above, he may by order provide that that paragraph shall apply in relation to the Committee for that locality with such modifications as are specified in the order.

Subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, it is the Secretary of State’s duty, before he makes an order under sub-paragraph (1) above, to consult the Family Practitioner Committee for the locality and any District Health Authority any part of whose district is in the locality of the Family Practitioner Committee with respect to the order.

It shall also be his duty, in making any such order, to have regard to the desirability of maintaining, so far as practicable, the same numerical proportion as between members falling to be appointed in pursuance of paragraph 6 above as there would be if no modification were made.