(1)The Social Security Advisory Committee (in this Act referred to as “the Committee”) constituted under section 9 of the [1980 c. 30.] Social Security Act 1980 shall continue in being by that name—
(a)to give (whether in pursuance of a reference under this Act or otherwise) advice and assistance to the Secretary of State in connection with the discharge of his functions under the relevant enactments;
(b)to give (whether in pursuance of a reference under this Act or otherwise) advice and assistance to the Northern Ireland Department in connection with the discharge of its functions under the relevant Northern Ireland enactments; and
(c)to perform such other duties as may be assigned to the Committee under any enactment.
(2)Schedule 5 to this Act shall have effect with respect to the constitution of the Committee and the other matters there mentioned.
(3)The Secretary of State may from time to time refer to the Committee for consideration and advice such questions relating to the operation of any of the relevant enactments as he thinks fit (including questions as to the advisability of amending any of them).
(4)The Secretary of State shall furnish the Committee with such information as the Committee may reasonably require for the proper discharge of its functions.
(5)In this Act—
“the relevant enactments” means—
the provisions of the Contributions and Benefits Act and this Act, except as they apply to industrial injuries benefit and Old Cases payments; and
the provisions of Part II of Schedule 3 to the Consequential Provisions Act, except as they apply to industrial injuries benefit; and
“the relevant Northern Ireland enactments” means—
the provisions of the Northern Ireland Contributions and Benefits Act and the Northern Ireland Administration Act, except as they apply to Northern Ireland industrial injuries benefit and payments under Part I of Schedule 8 to the Northern Ireland Contributions and Benefits Act; and
the provisions of Part II of Schedule 3 to the [1992 c. 9.] Social Security (Consequential Provisions) (Northern Ireland) Act 1992, except as they apply to Northern Ireland industrial injuries benefit; and
Article 52A(10), Part VA, Articles 69J and 70ZA of the [SI 1975/1503 (N.I. 15).] Social Security Pensions (Northern Ireland) Order 1975;
and in this definition—
“Northern Ireland Contributions and Benefits Act” means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits (Northern Ireland) Act 1992;
“Northern Ireland industrial injuries benefit” means benefit under Part V of the Northern Ireland Contributions and Benefits Act other than under Schedule 8 to that Act.