(1)The Secretary of State may by regulations make provision with respect to the pensions, allowances or gratuities which, subject to the fulfilment of such requirements and conditions as may be prescribed by the regulations, are to be, or may be, paid to or in respect of such persons, or classes of persons, as may be so prescribed, being—
(a)persons, or classes of persons, employed in local government service; and
(b)other persons, or classes of persons, for whom it is appropriate, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, to provide pensions, allowances or gratuities under the regulations.
(2)Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1) above, regulations under this section—
(a)may include all or any of the provisions referred to in Schedule 3 to this Act; and
(b)may make different provision as respects different classes of persons and different circumstances.
(3)Notwithstanding anything in the [1971 c. 56.] Pensions (Increase) Act 1971, regulations under this section may provide—
(a)that increases under that Act of such of the pensions, allowances or gratuities payable under the regulations as may be prescribed by the regulations, or such part of those increases as may be so prescribed, shall be paid out of such of the superannuation funds established under the regulations as the regulations may provide; and
(b)that the cost of those increases or of that part thereof, as the case may be, shall be defrayed by contributions from the persons to whom any services in respect of which the pensions, allowances or gratuities are or may become payable were or are being rendered or by such of those persons as may be so prescribed ;
and any provisions of the said Act of 1971, or of regulations made under section 5 thereof, relating to liability for the cost of increases under that Act of pensions, allowances or gratuities payable under the regulations shall have effect subject to the provisions of any regulations made by virtue of this subsection and for the time being in force.
(4)Without prejudice to subsection (2) above, regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) above may make different provision as respects different classes of pensions, allowances or gratuities.
(5)Before making any regulations under this section the Secretary of State shall consult with—
(a)such associations of local authorities as appear to him to be concerned;
(b)any local authority with whom consultation appears to him to be desirable; and
(c)such representatives of other persons likely to be affected by the proposed regulations as appear to him to be appropriate.