(1)The Secretary of State may pay such sums as the Secretary of State may, with the approval of the Treasury, determine by way of compensation to any person who—
(a)ceases to be a member of the Consumer Council for Postal Services, the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council, or the Consumer Council for Water by virtue of the abolition of the body in question by or under this Part, or
(b)ceases to be a member of the company called the National Consumer Council (a company limited by guarantee and registered under the Companies Acts) by virtue of its dissolution.
(2)The compensation is payable in respect of loss of office, or loss or diminution of pension rights.
(1)This section applies to—
(a)the Consumer Council for Postal Services;
(b)the Gas and Electricity Consumer Council;
(c)if a transfer order has been made under section 32 (whether or not it has taken effect), the Consumer Council for Water;
(d)the company called the National Consumer Council (a company limited by guarantee and registered under the Companies Acts).
(2)The Secretary of State may direct a body to which this section applies—
(a)to make a scheme or schemes for the transfer of its property, rights and liabilities to the Council;
(b)to transfer such property, rights or obligations as are specified in the direction to a person (other than the Council) so specified (“the specified transferee”).
(3)Before giving, varying or revoking a direction under subsection (2), the Secretary of State must consult—
(a)the body to which the direction is to be or has been given,
(b)the Council, and
(c)in the case of a direction under subsection (2)(b), the specified transferee.
(4)A body given a direction under subsection (2)(a) must consult the Council before making a transfer scheme.
(5)A transfer scheme made pursuant to a direction under subsection (2)(a) has effect—
(a)only if approved by the Secretary of State, and
(b)subject to any modifications made by the Secretary of State.
(6)Before making any modifications the Secretary of State must consult the body to which the direction was given.
(7)The Secretary of State may make a scheme or schemes for the transfer to the Council of the property, rights and liabilities of a body to which this section applies.
(8)Schedule 4 makes further provision about transfer schemes.
(9)In this section “transfer scheme” means a scheme made under or by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (7).
(1)The Secretary of State may direct a body to which section 35 applies to supply to the Secretary of State such information specified or described in the direction as the Secretary of State may require in relation to—
(a)the body’s property, rights or liabilities, or
(b)the exercise by the body of its functions.
(2)A direction under subsection (1)—
(a)must specify the period within which the information is to be provided, and
(b)may require the information to be supplied in a specified form.
(3)A body given a direction under subsection (1) must comply with it within the specified period.
(4)The Secretary of State may direct a body to which section 35 applies not to take any action of a specified kind, or in specified circumstances.
(5)Before giving, varying or revoking a direction under this section, the Secretary of State must consult—
(a)the body to which the direction is to be or has been given, and
(b)the Council.
(6)In this section “specified” means specified in the direction given by the Secretary of State.