65Report on exercise of power to give directionsU.K.
(1)It is the duty of the Secretary of State to lay reports before Parliament setting out how the Secretary of State intends to exercise the power under section 62 to give directions to reporting authorities.
(2)The reports must, in particular, identify—
(a)the circumstances in which directions are likely to be given, and
(b)the authorities or kinds of authority to whom the Secretary of State considers directions should be given as a matter of priority.
(3)Nothing in a report under this section affects the exercise of the Secretary of State's power under section 62.
(4)Before laying a report under this section before Parliament the Secretary of State must consult such persons likely to be affected by the report as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(5)The first report under this section must be laid before Parliament no later than 12 months after this Act is passed.
(6)Subsequent reports must be laid before Parliament no later than the time when the next programme under section 58 is so laid.
(7)The Secretary of State must send a copy of each report under this section to the other national authorities.