The Minister may authorise a local authority to whom this section applies to acquire compulsorily any land within their area if he is satisfied—
Where under subsection (1) above the Minister has power to authorise a local authority to whom this section applies to acquire any land compulsorily he may, after the requisite consultation, authorise the land to be so acquired by another authority, being a local authority within the meaning of the principal Act.
Before giving an authorisation under subsection (2) above the Minister shall—
The Act of 1946 shall apply to the compulsory acquisition of land under this section and accordingly shall have effect as if this section had been in force immediately before the commencement of that Act.
The local authorities to whom this section applies are the councils of counties, county boroughs, and county districts, the Greater London Council and councils of London boroughs.