For the purposes of the execution of his powers and duties under this Act, a Minister may cause to be held such public local inquiries as are directed by this Act and such other public local inquiries as he may think fit.
Subsections (2) and (3) of section 250 of the Local Government Act 1972 (giving of evidence on inquiries) shall apply to a public local inquiry held in pursuance of this Act.
In relation to—
a proposed acquisition of land by an authority other than a Minister, or
the proposed extinction under Part VI of this Act of a right of way over land acquired or proposed to be acquired by an authority other than a Minister,
subsections (4) and (5) of the said section 250 (defraying of costs of inquiries) shall apply to a public local inquiry held in pursuance of this Act.
In relation to each of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3), section 250(5) of the Local Government Act 1972 also applies—
where arrangements are made for a public local inquiry to be held in England in pursuance of this Act but the inquiry does not take place;
to the costs of a party to a public local inquiry held in England in pursuance of this Act who does not attend the inquiry.