Part 3General
I147Pre-consolidation amendments
1
The Secretary of State may by order amend a water Act—
a
to eliminate differences between two or more provisions (whether or not of the same Act);
b
to simplify procedure;
c
to correct errors or resolve obscurity.
2
The Secretary of State may make an order only if satisfied that—
a
it will make it easier to consolidate one or more water Acts, and
b
the substantive effect of the change (if any) is proportionate to the advantage to be gained by consolidating the legislation and does not remove any protection.
3
The water Acts are—
a
this Act,
b
the Public Health Act 1936 (so far as relevant to water),
c
the Coast Protection Act 1949,
d
the Reservoirs Act 1975,
e
the Highways Act 1980 (so far as relevant to water),
f
the Land Drainage Act 1991,
g
the Water Industry Act 1991,
h
the Water Resources Act 1991, and
i
the Environment Act 1995 (so far as relevant to water).
4
An order may, in particular, aim to standardise provisions relating to—
a
appeals;
b
compulsory purchase;
c
rights of entry;
d
compensation.
5
An order under this section may not be made unless—
a
the Welsh Ministers have consented to the making of the order,
b
a draft has been laid before and approved by resolution of each House of Parliament, and
c
a Bill for consolidating the enactments amended by the order (with or without other enactments) has been presented to either House of Parliament.
6
A draft laid under subsection (5) must be accompanied by an explanation of—
a
the effect of any changes made, and
b
how they will make consolidation easier.