(1)The licensing authority or the licensing authorities (acting jointly) may at any time before an order making, varying or revoking a licensing scheme under this Part is made, consult other persons about the licensing scheme, variation or revocation.
(2)The licensing authority or the licensing authorities (acting jointly)—
(a)may cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a licensing scheme under this Part, or the variation or revocation of such a scheme, and
(b)may appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held.
(3)The appropriate national authority may at any time—
(a)before an order making or varying a licensing scheme under this Part is made, or
(b)(where such an order has to be confirmed) before it is confirmed,
consult other persons, or require the licensing authority or authorities to consult other persons, about the licensing scheme or variation.
(4)The appropriate national authority—
(a)may cause an inquiry to be held in relation to a licensing scheme under this Part or the variation of such a scheme, and
(b)may appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held.
(5)In the case of a joint local-London licensing scheme—
(a)the Greater London Authority may, at any time before an order making, varying or revoking the licensing scheme is confirmed by that Authority, consult other persons, or require the licensing authorities to consult other persons, about the licensing scheme, variation or revocation, and
(b)the Secretary of State shall not cause an inquiry to be held in relation to the licensing scheme, or the variation of the licensing scheme, or appoint the person or persons by whom such an inquiry is to be held, without the consent of the Greater London Authority.
(6)Subsections (2) and (3) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (witnesses at local inquiries) apply in relation to any inquiry held by virtue of this section.
(7)Where an inquiry is held by virtue of this section in relation to a licensing scheme or the variation or revocation of such a scheme—
(a)the costs of the inquiry shall be paid by the licensing authority or authorities, and
(b)the parties at the inquiry shall bear their own costs.