(1)The Welsh Ministers must appoint a person as their BSL adviser, and persons to be members of a panel to assist the BSL adviser.
(2)The BSL adviser may—
(a)provide information or advice to the Welsh Ministers in relation to their functions under this Act;
(b)provide information or advice, with the Welsh Ministers’ agreement, to any person in relation to promoting and facilitating the use of BSL in Wales;
(c)consult the panel in relation to any information or advice to be provided in accordance with paragraphs (a) or (b).
(3)The BSL adviser may provide the information or advice mentioned in subsection (2)(a) of the adviser’s own accord or in response to a request made by the Welsh Ministers.
(4)Where the BSL adviser receives a request from the Welsh Ministers under subsection (3), the adviser must provide the information or advice as soon as is reasonably practicable.
(5)If the BSL adviser requests that a listed public body provides the adviser with information for the purpose of the exercise of any of the adviser’s functions, the body must comply with the request unless it considers that doing so would conflict with its duties or have an adverse effect on the exercise of its functions.
(6)If a listed public body decides not to comply with a request under subsection (5), it must explain why to the BSL adviser in writing.
(7)The Schedule makes further provision about the BSL adviser and the panel.
Commencement Information
I1S. 6 in force at 28.4.2026, see s. 11