(1)The appropriate national authority may give guidance to principal local authorities in relation to the discharge of their duties under this Chapter.
(2)Guidance under this section—
(a)may be given generally or to one or more particular principal local authorities;
(b)may be different for different principal local authorities;
(c)must be published.
(3)Before giving guidance under this section the appropriate national authority must consult the principal local authorities to which it is given.
(4)A principal local authority must, in deciding how to discharge its duties under this Chapter, have regard to any guidance given to it under this section.