6.—(1) The Department may undertake, or cause to be undertaken, such surveys or studies as it may consider necessary for the purposes of its functions under this Order, including surveys or studies relating to any of the following matters—
(a)the physical, social and economic characteristics of any area, including the purposes for which land is used;
(b)the size, composition and distribution of the population of an area;
(c)the communications, transport system and traffic of an area;
(d)any changes in relation to the foregoing matters and the effect which the changes are likely to have on the long-term development of Northern Ireland or any part thereof or the planning of that development.
(2) The Department may, for the purpose of the exercise of any of its functions under this Order—
(a)consult with such persons as it thinks fit; and
(b)where it considers it appropriate to do so, cause a public local inquiry to be held.
(3) Without prejudice to section 23 of the [1954 c. 33 (N.I.).] Interpretation Act (Northern Ireland) 1954, the Department may make rules regulating the procedure to be followed in connection with inquiries held by or on behalf of the Department under this Order.