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Powers of recovery etc. of the Scottish Ministers

14.—(1) The powers conferred by regulation 12(1) and 13 are–

(a)to withhold the whole or any part of the aid payable to the applicant; and

(b)to recover on demand the whole or any part of any aid already paid to an applicant.

(2) Where the powers specified in paragraph (1) are exercised, further to regulation 12(1) and where in the view of the Scottish Ministers, the conduct of the applicant was reckless or was carried out with the intention of breaching of the requirements set out in that paragraph, the Scottish Ministers may also require the applicant to pay to the Scottish Ministers an additional sum equal to no more than 10% of the aid paid or payable to the applicant.

(3) Where the Scottish Ministers take any step specified in paragraph (1), the Scottish Ministers may also suspend or terminate the undertaking, and thereupon any entitlement of the applicant to aid in respect of the unexpired period of the undertaking shall likewise be suspended or terminated, as the case may be.

(4) Where the Scottish Ministers terminate an undertaking under paragraph (3), they may also prohibit the applicant from entering into any new undertaking for such period (not exceeding two years) from the date of the termination as the Scottish Ministers may specify.

(5) The powers conferred on the Scottish Ministers by paragraphs (2), (3) and (4) shall be exercisable by a notice served on the applicant by post at his last known address, and in paragraph (4) “specify” means specify in such notice.