Subject to the following provisions of this section, in this Chapter "the appropriate authority", in relation to any land, means the government department, local authority National Park authority or other body or person by whom, in accordance with the circumstances by virtue of which the land falls within any paragraph of Schedule 13, the land is liable to be acquired or is indicated as being proposed to be acquired or, as the case may be, any right over the land is proposed to be acquired.
If any question arises—
that question shall be referred to the Secretary of State, whose decision shall be final.
If any question arises which authority is the appropriate authority for the purposes of this Chapter—
In relation to land falling within paragraph 7, 8 or 9 of Schedule 13, until such time as a development corporation is established for the new town or, as the case may be, an urban development corporation is established for the urban development area, this Chapter shall have effect as if "the appropriate authority" were the Secretary of State.
In relation to land falling within paragraph 9A of Schedule 13, until such time as a Mayoral development corporation is established for the Mayoral development area, this Chapter has effect as if "the appropriate authority" were the Mayor of London.
In relation to land falling within paragraph 19 of Schedule 13, "the appropriate authority" shall be the highway authority for the highway in relation to which the order mentioned in that paragraph was made.
In relation to land falling within paragraph 25 of Schedule 13, "the appropriate authority" is—
If any question arises by virtue of subsection (6)—
that question shall be referred to the Secretary of State, whose decision shall be final.
In relation to land falling within paragraph 26 of Schedule 13, "the appropriate authority" is—
If any question arises by virtue of subsection (7A)—
In subsections (6) and (7) , (7), (7A) and (7B) "statutory undertaker" means a person who is, or is deemed to be, a statutory undertaker for the purposes of any provision of Part 11.