The Secretary of State for the Environment, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 7 and 12 of the Superannuation Act 1972, and of all other powers enabling him in that behalf, after consultation with such associations of local authorities as appeared to him to be concerned, the local authorities with whom consultation appeared to him to be desirable, and such representatives of other persons likely to be affected by the regulations as appeared to him to be appropriate, hereby makes the following regulations:—