Subsections (2) to (5) explain what is meant by "the initial period" in section 6(5A)(a).
In the case of a national policy statement that is designated on or after the relevant date, the initial period is the period of five years beginning with the date of designation.
In the case of a national policy statement that—
the initial period is the period of five years beginning with the date of the amendment or, if an amendment was made on more than one occasion before the relevant date, the date of the latest such amendment.
In the case of a national policy statement that—
the initial period is the period of five years beginning with the date of designation.
In the case of a national policy statement that—
the initial period is the period of two years beginning with the relevant date.
Section 6(5) applies in relation to a full review of a national policy statement within subsection (5) of this section carried out within the initial period as if the option in section 6(5)(c) (leave the statement as it is) was not available to the Secretary of State following that review.
In this section—
"full review" has the meaning given by section 6(2);
"the relevant date" means the date on which section 6(5A) comes into force.