5Further powers of Secretary of State and Minister of Technology
1
The Secretary of State and the Minister of Technology may defray out of moneys provided by Parliament any expenses which, with the consent of the Treasury, they may respectively incur—
a
in carrying on or supporting scientific research or the dissemination of the results of scientific research ;
b
as regards the Minister, in furthering the practical application of the results of scientific research ;
c
in making payments in respect of remuneration, allowances or pension benefits payable to or in respect of members of any advisory body established for the purpose of assisting the Secretary of State or Minister, as the case may be, in matters connected with scientific research.
2
The Minister of Technology, in and for the discharge of his functions falling within subsection (1)(a) and (b) above, may exercise the powers conferred by section 1 of the [1947 c. 39.] Statistics of Trade Act 1947 on competent authorities within the meaning of that Act, and for that purpose the Act shall apply as if he were named as a competent authority in section 17(3) of the Act.
3
The members of the Advisory Committee under section 6 of the [1948 c. 37.] Radioactive Substances Act 1948 shall be appointed by the Secretary of State after consultation with such scientific, professional and technical organisations and persons as he thinks appropriate, and any notice of resignation by a member of that Committee shall be given either to the Secretary of State or (unless the member is chairman of the Committee) to that chairman; and the Secretary of State shall appoint a member of the Committee to be chairman of it and such person as he thinks fit to be secretary of it:
Provided that this subsection shall not affect any appointment made or notice given before this subsection comes into force.