Gaelic Language (Scotland) Act 2005

8 Guidance, assistance, etc. by the Bòrd

(1) The Bòrd must, from time to time when it thinks fit, prepare and submit to the Scottish Ministers guidance for relevant public authorities in relation to the operation of sections 3 to 7.

(2) In preparing the guidance, the Bòrd must—

(a) publish a draft of the guidance,

(b) publicise the opportunity to make representations about the draft guidance under subsection (3) within such period of not less than 3 months as the Bòrd may specify, and

(c) take into account any representations received by it within that period.

(3) Any person who wishes to make representations to the Bòrd about the draft guidance may do so within the period specified in pursuance of subsection (2).

(4) The Scottish Ministers must—

(a) approve the guidance with or without modifications, or

(b) reject the guidance and, where they do so, may require the Bòrd to prepare and submit to them, within such period as they may specify, revised guidance.

(5) Where revised guidance is submitted, the Scottish Ministers must—

(a) approve the guidance, or

(b) order the Bòrd to publish it in such terms as the Scottish Ministers think fit.

(6) On such guidance being approved or, as the case may be, ordered to be published by the Scottish Ministers, the Bòrd must publish it in such manner as it thinks fit.

(7) The Bòrd may vary or revoke guidance published under subsection (6), and subsections (2) to (6) apply to a variation.

(8) Before revoking guidance published under subsection (6), the Bòrd must obtain the consent of the Scottish Ministers.

(9) The Bòrd must, on the request of a relevant public authority, provide the authority free of charge with advice and assistance in relation to the application of this Act to the authority.

(10) In preparing guidance under subsection (1) and giving advice and assistance under subsection (9), the Bòrd must seek to give effect, so far as is both appropriate in the circumstances and reasonably practicable, to the principle that the Gaelic and English languages should be accorded equal respect.