Where a joint committee under F2section one hundred and two of the M1Local Government Act 1972, is appointed for the purposes of this Act by any fire authorities, they shall notify the Secretary of State.

For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that a combination scheme may be submitted and approved under section five of this Act or may be made under section six thereof notwithstanding that a joint committee under the said F2section one hundred and two has been appointed for fire service purposes for all or some of the areas in respect of which the combination scheme is submitted or made.