(1)Before the Welsh Ministers make an order under section 18 they must—
(a)consult such persons as appear to them to be representative of interests affected by their proposals;
(b)have regard to the findings of their report under section 17(3).
(2)If, following consultation under subsection (1), the Welsh Ministers propose to make an order under section 18 they must lay before the National Assembly for Wales a document including—
(a)an explanation of the proposals,
(b)a draft of the proposed order, and
(c)details of the consultation under subsection (1)(a).
(3)Where a document is laid before the National Assembly for Wales under subsection (2), a draft of an order under section 18 to give effect to the proposals (with or without modification) must not be laid before the Assembly until after the expiry of the period of sixty days beginning with the day on which the document was laid.
(4)In calculating the period mentioned in subsection (3) no account is to be taken of any time during which the National Assembly for Wales is dissolved or is in recess for more than four days.
(5)In preparing a draft order under section 18 the Welsh Ministers must consider any representations made during the period mentioned in subsection (3).
(6)A draft order laid before the National Assembly for Wales in accordance with section 24(4) must be accompanied by a statement of the Welsh Ministers giving details of—
(a)any representations considered in accordance with subsection (5), and
(b)any changes made to the proposals contained in the document laid before the National Assembly for Wales under subsection (2).