(1)A Minister proposing to make an order under sections 1 to 5 must consult—
(a)the body or the holder of the office to which the proposal relates,
(b)such other persons as appear to the Minister to be representative of interests substantially affected by the proposal,
(c)the Scottish Ministers, if the proposal relates to any matter, so far as applying in or as regards Scotland, in relation to which the Scottish Ministers exercise functions (and where the consent of the Scottish Parliament is not required under section 9),
(d)a Northern Ireland department, if the proposal relates to any matter, so far as applying in or as regards Northern Ireland, in relation to which the department exercises functions (and where the consent of the Northern Ireland Assembly is not required under section 9),
(e)the Welsh Ministers, if the proposal relates to any matter, so far as applying in or as regards Wales, in relation to which the Welsh Ministers exercise functions (and where the consent of the National Assembly for Wales or the Welsh Ministers is not required under section 9),
(f)where the functions affected by the proposal relate to the administration of justice, the Lord Chief Justice, and
(g)such other persons as the Minister considers appropriate.
(2)If, as a result of consultation under subsection (1), it appears to the Minister appropriate to change the whole or part of the proposal, the Minister must carry out such further consultation with respect to the changes as seems appropriate.
(3)It is immaterial for the purposes of this section whether consultation is carried out before or after the commencement of this section.
(4)Subsection (1)(a) does not apply to a body with no members or an office which is vacant; and, where a body is consulted under that provision, any vacancy in its membership is immaterial.