(1)For each traffic area constituted for the purposes of this Part of this Act, other than the Metropolitan Traffic Area, there shall be a body of three commissioners, to be known as traffic commissioners for the area, who shall have the power and be charged with the duty of issuing licences under this Part of this Act and shall exercise such other powers and perform such other duties as are conferred or imposed on them by or in pursuance of this Part of this Act, and subject as aforesaid shall act under the general directions of the Minister.
(2)For the Metropolitan Traffic Area there shall be a single commissioner, to be known as the traffic commissioner for the area, who shall have such powers and duties (except as regards licences to drive, or act as conductor of, public service vehicles), and act under such general directions, as aforesaid.
(3)Before the Minister gives any general directions to the traffic commissioner for the Metropolitan Traffic Area or gives to the traffic commissioners for any other traffic area any directions relating specifically to the London Traffic Area, the question of issuing the directions shall be referred to the London and Home Counties Traffic Advisory Committee.
(4)Except where the context otherwise requires, in this Act " the traffic commissioners " means the traffic commissioners for any traffic area constituted for the purposes of this Part of this Act, and references in this Act or in any other enactment to the traffic commissioners for such a traffic area include, except where the context otherwise requires, references to the traffic commissioner for the Metropolitan Traffic Area.