Question:

Bars 1-4  Do the 1st cpl give hands to dance down & cross over & if so,is it RH or nearer hands? I've just been watching a video of the dance where they give RH,but my instructions say "dance down" as opposed to "lead down".

Bars 5-8   Should the setting stay on the sidelines or can they advance slightly before turning.

Answer:

Bars 1-4  Although the original book 21, did  say to dance down, the  the current version of book 21 says 'lead' i.e. right hands joined, which facilitates the cross over into third place ready to cast up to 2nd place.  
Bars 5-8 The first two bars of this phrase is often danced as a set on the sidelines, however it is also taught and danced (all in PdB) as follows. Bar five set on the spot, bar six advancing slightly, bar seven half turn, bar eight retire. As with many dance queries of this nature both methods could be decribed as correct and in the next updated compilation of books 19-24 this  matter will be adressed.