5CF1Guidance
1
The Secretary of State may issue guidance to whatever persons in England and Wales the Secretary of State considers appropriate about—
a
the effect of any provision of this Act, or
b
other matters relating to female genital mutilation.
2
A person exercising public functions to whom guidance is given under this section must have regard to it in the exercise of those functions.
3
Nothing in this section permits the Secretary of State to give guidance to any court or tribunal.
4
Before issuing guidance under this section the Secretary of State must consult—
a
the Welsh Ministers so far as the guidance is to a body exercising devolved Welsh functions;
b
any person whom the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
5
A body is exercising “devolved Welsh functions” if its functions are exercisable only in or as regards Wales and are wholly or mainly functions relating to—
a
a matter in respect of which functions are exercisable by the Welsh Ministers, the First Minister for Wales or the Counsel General to the Welsh Government, or
b
a matter within the legislative competence of the National Assembly for Wales.
6
The Secretary of State may from time to time revise any guidance issued under this section.
7
Subsections (2) and (3) have effect in relation to any revised guidance.
8
Subsection (4) has effect in relation to any revised guidance unless the Secretary of State considers the proposed revisions of the guidance are insubstantial.
9
The Secretary of State must publish the current version of any guidance issued under this section.