29Power to issue guidance
(1)The Secretary of State may issue guidance to specified authorities about the exercise of their duty under section 26(1).
(2)A specified authority must have regard to any such guidance in carrying out that duty.
(3)The Secretary of State—
(a)may issue separate guidance in relation to different matters;
(b)may issue guidance to all specified authorities, to particular specified authorities or to specified authorities of a particular description.
(4)Before issuing guidance under subsection (1) the Secretary of State must (whether before or after this Act is passed) consult—
(a)the Welsh Ministers so far as the guidance relates to the devolved Welsh functions of a Welsh authority;
(b)the Scottish Ministers so far as the guidance relates to the devolved Scottish functions of a Scottish authority;
(c)any person whom the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(5)Guidance issued under subsection (1) takes effect on whatever day the Secretary of State appoints by regulations made by statutory instrument.
A statutory instrument containing regulations under this subsection may not be made unless a draft of the instrument has been laid before each House of Parliament and approved by a resolution of each House.
(6)The Secretary of State may from time to time revise any guidance issued under this section.
(7)Subsections (2), (3) and (5) have effect in relation to any revised guidance.
(8)Subsection (4) has effect in relation to any revised guidance unless the Secretary of State considers that the proposed revisions to the guidance are insubstantial.
(9)The Secretary of State must publish the current version of any guidance issued under this section.