2.—(1) Section 158 (inquiries) shall be modified as follows.
(2) In subsection (1), the words from “as if those purposes” to the end of the subsection shall be omitted.
(3) After subsection (1), there shall be inserted—
(1A) Subsections (2) to (5) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 (attendance and evidence at, and costs of, inquiries) shall apply to an inquiry held for the purposes of the functions of the Secretary of State under sections 104(3), 105(3) and 112 of this Act; but—
(a)in its application by virtue of this subsection, section 250(4) shall have effect with the omission of the words “and any amount” onwards, and
(b)the power to make an order as to costs under section 250(5) as applied by this subsection shall be exercisable not only where the inquiry takes place but also where arrangements are made for it but it does not take place.”