18Commission’s general purpose
This section has no associated Explanatory Notes
(1)The Commission’s general purpose is to promote—
(a)awareness among relevant persons and the public of rural needs, and
(b)meeting rural needs in ways that contribute to sustainable development.
(2)For the purposes of this Chapter “relevant person” means—
(a)a public authority, or
(b)a body which appears to the Commission to be concerned with any aspect of rural needs.7
(3)For the purposes of this Chapter “rural needs” means the social and economic needs of persons in rural areas in England.
(4)In determining the social and economic needs of persons in those areas, particular regard is to be had to the needs of—
(a)persons suffering from social disadvantage, and
(b)areas suffering from economic under-performance.