The Secretary of State must give guidance to relevant authorities on steps it would be appropriate for them to take in order to meet the needs of persons with Down syndrome in the exercise of their relevant functions.

Relevant authorities must have due regard to the guidance in the exercise of their relevant functions.

Before giving the guidance the Secretary of State must consult such persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

The Secretary of State must publish the guidance in such manner as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

The Secretary of State must lay the guidance before Parliament once it is published.

The Secretary of State may revise the guidance from time to time (and subsections (2) to (5) apply in relation to any revised guidance).

For the meaning of “relevant authorities” and “relevant functions”, see the Schedule.