7.—(1) The Scottish Ministers may pay to the returning officer such fees as they consider appropriate.
(2) Any expenses properly incurred by the returning officer in the performance of his or her functions under these Regulations (in this regulation referred to as “returning expenses”) are to be paid by the Scottish Ministers.
(3) On the request of the returning officer for an advance on account of returning expenses, the Scottish Ministers may, if they think fit, make such an advance to him or her of such an amount and subject to such conditions as they may approve.