The Secretary of State 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) of this section the Secretary of State 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 this Act.
Before giving an authorisation under subsection (2) of this section, the Secretary of State shall—
The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act 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 the councils of London boroughs.