(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations provide that any provision listed in section 40 is to have effect as if for a reference in the provision to a period of days or months (“the existing period”) there were substituted a reference to such longer period ( “ the substituted period ”) as is specified in the regulations.
(2)The substituted period must not exceed—
(a)42 days, in a case where the existing period is 21 days or fewer, and
(b)12 months, in a case where the existing period is 3, 6 or 9 months.
(3)The power conferred by this section may not be exercised in relation to a reference to a period of 12 months.
(4)Regulations under this section may make—
(a)different provision for different purposes;
(b)consequential, incidental or supplementary provision (including provision modifying an enactment);
(c)transitional provision or savings.
(5)In subsection (4) “enactment” includes an Act of the Scottish Parliament and an instrument made under such an Act.
(6)Regulations under this section are to be made by statutory instrument.
(7)A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section is subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.
(8)This section expires at the end of the day on 5 April 2021.
(9)The expiry of this section does not affect the continued operation of any regulations made under this section for the purpose of determining the length of any period that begins before the expiry.