Paragraph 2

for subsection (1) there shall be substituted the following subsection—

“(1)

The registration areas for the purposes of this Part of this Act shall be the districts and islands areas.”;

after subsection (1) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(1A)

The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the local authority or local authorities concerned, make directions

(a)

as to the groupings of registration areas or parts thereof, or

(b)

deeming any part of a registration area to be a separate registration area,

and any reference in this Part of this Act to a registration area shall include a reference to a grouping of registration areas or parts thereof and any area deemed to be a separate registration area by virtue of this subsection.”

in subsection (2), after the words “local authority” there shall be inserted the words “or local authorities” and the words from “and for the purposes” to the end shall cease to have effect;

after subsection (2) there shall be inserted the following subsection—

“(2A)

Where the Secretary of State makes a direction under subsection (1A) above, or an appointment under subsection (2) above, which is to come into force on 16th May 1975, he shall be deemed to have consulted the local authority or local authorities concerned for the purposes of the said subsection (1A) or (2) if he has consulted either the existing or the new local authority or local authorities before that date.”;

subsection (6) shall cease to have effect.