Commentary on provisions of Act Section 56: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
This section amends the Coastguard Act 1925 ("the 1925 Act") and the Merchant Shipping Act 1995 ("the 1995 Act").
	Subsection (1) amends the 1925 Act to provide that the Secretary of State must consult the Scottish Ministers about strategic priorities of the Secretary of State when exercising functions under the 1925 Act in relation to activities of the Coastguard in Scotland (which includes activities of the Coastguard in Scotland’s territorial waters). These functions, which are conferred on the Board of Trade by section 1 of the 1925 Act, are now exercisable by the Secretary of State for Transport.
	Subsection (2) amends section 292 of the 1995 Act to provide that the Secretary of State must consult the Scottish Ministers about strategic priorities of the Secretary of State when exercising functions under the 1995 Act in relation to the protection of people on ships in Scotland, and the safety standards which apply to both ships and people on ships in Scotland (including in relation to Scotland’s territorial waters).