The aggregate amount of the rate support grants fixed in accordance with subsection (2) of section 2 of this Act for any year and the matters which under that section or Schedule 1 to this Act are to be prescribed shall be fixed and prescribed by an order made by the Secretary of State after consultation with such associations of local authorities as appear to him to be concerned and with the consent of the Treasury (hereafter in this Act referred to as a " rate support grant order ").

Any rate support grant order shall be laid before the Commons House of Parliament together with a report of the considerations leading to the provisions of the order, including the considerations leading to the determination of the amount and the portion mentioned in section 2(2)(a) and (b) of this Act, and shall not have effect until approved by a resolution of that House.

Rate support grant orders shall be made in advance for successive periods of two years; and a rate support grant order may, as respects any matter to be fixed or prescribed by the order, make different provision for different years.