7. After section 113 of the principal Act there shall be inserted—
113A.—(1) Subject to subsections (3) to (6), a council may provide advice and assistance as respects any matter in which it has skill and experience to a body engaged outside the United Kingdom in the carrying on of any of the activities of local government.
(2) In relation to any place outside the United Kingdom, activities shall be taken for the purposes of this section to be activities of local government wherever they are the equivalent of, or are comparable to, any activities which in Northern Ireland are carried on by councils.
(3) The power conferred by subsection (1) shall not be exercised except with the consent of the Department or in accordance with a general authorisation given by the Department.
(4) Before giving any general authorisation under subsection (3), the Department shall consult with such persons appearing to it to represent councils as the Department thinks appropriate.
(5) A consent or authorisation under subsection (3) may be given subject to such conditions as the Department thinks fit.
(6) Nothing in this section authorises a council to provide any financial assistance by—
(a)making a grant or loan,
(b)giving a guarantee or indemnity, or
(c)investing by acquiring share or loan capital.
(7) The Department shall provide councils with such guidance about the exercise of their powers under this section as it thinks appropriate.”.