Section 29: Power to issue guidance
187.Subsection (1) provides that the Secretary of State may issue guidance to specified authorities about the exercise of the duty in section 26(1).
188.Subsection (2) provides that the specified authorities must have regard to the guidance in carrying out the duty in section 26(1).
189.Subsection (3) provides that the Secretary of State may issue separate guidance relating to separate matters and it may be issued to all specified authorities, particular specified authorities or to specified authorities of a particular type.
190.Subsection (4) provides that the Secretary of State must consult with Welsh or Scottish Ministers on the guidance before issuing it where it relates to the devolved Welsh or Scottish functions of a Welsh or Scottish authority. The Secretary of State must also consult with any other person he considers appropriate.
191.Subsection (5) provides that any guidance is to be brought into force by regulations which are subject to the affirmative resolution procedure.
192.Subsection (6) provides that the Secretary of State may revise the guidance.
193.Subsection (7) provides that the duty of specified authorities to have regard to the guidance, and the power of the Secretary of State to issue separate guidance in relation to different matters and to particular specified authorities, applies equally in respect of any revised guidance. Subsection (7) also provides that regulations which bring revisions of the guidance into force are subject to the affirmative procedure. Subsection (8) provides that the consultation obligations must be satisfied when the guidance is being revised, unless the Secretary of State considers that the revisions are insubstantial and do not merit consultation.
194.Subsection (9) provides that the Secretary of State must publish the current version of the guidance.
