6Appropriate authority
(1)Except as otherwise provided for in this section the appropriate authority is the Secretary of State.
(2)In relation to any function which is exercisable in relation to Wales by the National Assembly for Wales acting alone, the appropriate authority is the National Assembly.
(3)In relation to any function which is exercisable for the purposes of a transferred matter (within the meaning of section 4(1) of the Northern Ireland Act 1998 (c. 47)), the appropriate authority is the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety in Northern Ireland.
(4)In relation to any function which is exercisable within devolved competence (within the meaning of the Scotland Act 1998 (c. 46)), the appropriate authority is the Scottish Ministers.
(5)In relation to any function which is exercisable in relation to any part of the United Kingdom by more than one of the persons mentioned in subsections (1) to (4), the appropriate authority is both or all (as the case may be) of those persons acting jointly.