[F16A(1)If the Secretary of State is considering giving a direction under paragraph 6(6) the Attorney General may appoint a person to represent the interests of any person who will be prevented from hearing or inspecting any evidence at a local inquiry if the direction is given.E+W
(2)If before the Secretary of State gives a direction under paragraph 6(6) no person is appointed under sub-paragraph (1), the Attorney General may at any time appoint a person as mentioned in sub-paragraph (1) for the purposes of the inquiry.
(3)The Lord Chancellor may by rules make provision—
(a)as to the procedure to be followed by the Secretary of State before he gives a direction under paragraph 6(6) in a case where a person has been appointed under sub-paragraph (1);
(b)as to the functions of a person appointed under sub-paragraph (1) or (2).
(4)If a person is appointed under sub-paragraph (1) or (2) (the appointed representative) the Secretary of State may direct any person who he thinks is interested in the inquiry in relation to a matter mentioned in paragraph 6(7) (the responsible person) to pay the fees and expenses of the appointed representative.
(5)If the appointed representative and the responsible person are unable to agree the amount of the fees and expenses, the amount must be determined by the Secretary of State.
(6)The Secretary of State must cause the amount agreed between the appointed representative and the responsible person or determined by him to be certified.
(7)An amount so certified is recoverable from the responsible person as a civil debt.
(8)Rules made under sub-paragraph (3) must be contained in a statutory instrument subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(9)Sub-paragraph (10) applies if—
(a)a person is appointed under sub-paragraph (1) or (2), but
(b)no inquiry is held as mentioned in paragraph 6(1).
(10)Sub-paragraphs (4) to (7) above apply in respect of the fees and expenses of the person appointed as if the inquiry had been held.
(11)For the purposes of sub-paragraph (10) the responsible person is the person to whom the Secretary of State thinks he would have given a direction under sub-paragraph (4) if an inquiry had been held.
(12)Sub-paragraphs (9) to (11) do not affect paragraph 6(8).]
Textual Amendments
F1Sch. para. 6A inserted (6.8.2004 for specified purposes, 7.6.2006 in so far as not already in force) by Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 (c. 5), s. 80(4) (with s. 111); S.I. 2004/2097, art. 2; S.I. 2006/1281, art. 2(a)