1(1)Subject as hereinafter provided each large burgh and each county inclusive of every small burgh situate therein shall be a probation area:
Provided that the Secretary of State, if the circumstances seem to him to render such a course expedient, may by order direct that any two or more of the areas aforesaid be combined in whole or in part to form one probation area or that any county (inclusive as aforesaid) be divided into two or more probation areas.
(2)Before making an order under the preceding sub-paragraph, the Secretary of State shall give to each sheriff having jurisdiction in any part of the area to which the proposed order will apply and to the council of any county or burgh to which the proposed order will apply, an opportunity of making any representations which they may desire to make with respect to the proposed order.
(3)An order made under sub-paragraph (1) of this paragraph may be amended or revoked by a subsequent order and the provisions of sub-paragraph (2) of this paragraph shall apply in relation to any such subsequent order.