(1)The Scottish Ministers may direct a person appointed under section 43 to—
(a)inquire into a matter mentioned in subsection (2); and
(b)to submit to them a written report on that matter by a date specified by them.
(2)Those matters are—
(a)the state and efficiency of relevant authorities generally;
(b)the manner in which—
(i)a relevant authority is carrying out any of its functions under this Act; or
(ii)relevant authorities are carrying out such functions generally;
(c)technical matters relating to a function of a relevant authority under this Act.
(3)The Scottish Ministers shall lay a copy of each report submitted to them under subsection (1)(b) on the matter mentioned in subsection (2)(a) before the Scottish Parliament.