Commentary on Sections Part 3: Marine Protection Section 31: Hearings
This section makes provision for either the Department to hold a hearing before deciding to make byelaws or interim byelaws; or for the Secretary of State to hold a hearing before deciding whether to confirm byelaws or to revoke emergency or interim byelaws.
Subsection (3) gives the Secretary of State or the Department the discretion to give anyone the opportunity of being heard by an appointed person, either orally or in writing.
Subsection (4) allows the Department to make regulations setting out the procedure to be followed for such hearings, including the awarding of costs.
Subsection (5) requires representations to be reported back to the Secretary of State or the Department, as appropriate.