29Power of regional water boards and water development boards to promote or oppose private legislation
(1)Subject to the provisions of this section, a regional water board or a water development board (in this section referred to as " a board ") may petition for the issue of a provisional order under the [1936 c. 52.] Private Legislation Procedure (Scotland) Act 1936 or oppose any private legislation in Parliament where they are satisfied that it is expedient so to do, and may defray the expenses incurred in relation thereto.
(2)A board shall not petition for the issue of a provisional order as aforesaid without the consent of the Secretary of State, and the Secretary of State shall not give such a consent unless he is satisfied that the powers sought by the proposed order cannot be obtained by means of an order under the Water (Scotland) Acts 1946 to 1967.
(3)An application for the consent of the Secretary of State for the purposes of this section shall be accompanied by a concise summary of the purposes of the proposed order.
(4)In this section " private legislation in Parliament" includes a provisional order, and the confirmation Bill relating thereto under the said Act of 1936, and any local or personal Bill.