18.—(1) The Minister, after consultation with the F32[housing authorities] concerned, may—

(a) require 2 or more than 2 F32[housing authorities] to prepare jointly and adopt an accommodation programme by a date specified by the Minister, and

(b) require that where an accommodation programme is being prepared in accordance with section 7(2), the F32[housing authorities] concerned co-ordinate such preparation and adoption in a manner, in relation to such matters and by a date, specified by the Minister,

and the F32[housing authorities] concerned shall comply with any such requirement.

(2) The Minister may, after consultation with a F32[housing authority], require that F32[housing authority] to amend or replace an accommodation programme in a manner and by a date specified by the Minister and the F32[housing authority] concerned shall comply with any such requirement.