If the Secretary of State so directs, an inquiry under paragraph 3 shall be held by Commissioners under the M1Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936.

A direction under this paragraph is deemed to have been given under section 2 of the M2Statutory Orders (Special Procedure) Act 1945, as read with section 10 of that Act, and the provisions of that Act with regard to the publication of notices in the Edinburgh Gazette shall, notwithstanding anything contained in that Act, not apply to any order under section 160 which is subject to special parliamentary procedure.

If the Secretary of State does not give a direction under this paragraph, the provisions of section 210(2) to (8) of the M3Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (which relate to the giving of evidence at, and the defraying of costs of, inquiries) apply in relation to a local inquiry held under paragraph 3.