In this Act, except so far as the context otherwise requires—

• “bail hostel” means premises for the accommodation of persons remanded on bail and “approved bail hostel” means a bail hostel approved under section 27;

• “community service order” means an order under section 14(1) of the M1Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973;

• “inner London area” has the same meaning as in F1the Justices of the Peace Act 1997;

• “inner London probation area” has the meaning given by section 2(3);

• “local authority” has the meaning given by section 29;

• “prescribed” means prescribed by rules made under section 25;

• “probation hostel means premises for the accommodation of persons who may be required to reside there by a probation order” and “approved probation hostel” means a probation hostel approved under section 27;

• “probation order” means an order made under section 2 of the M2Powers of Criminal Courts Act 1973;

• “qualifying expenses”, in relation to a probation committee, has the meaning given by section 17(2);

• “the Receiver” means the Receiver for the metropolitan police district; and

• “responsible authority” has the meaning given by section 29(1).

A combination order under section 11 of the M3Criminal Justice Act 1991 shall be treated for the purposes of this Act as if it were a probation order (so far as it imposes requirements to be under the supervision of a probation officer) and as if it were a community service order (so far as it imposes requirements to perform unpaid work).

For the purposes of sections 10 and 19 the population of an area shall be taken to be the number estimated by the Registrar General and certified by him to the Secretary of State by reference to such date as the Secretary of State may from time to time direct.