(1)The Authority may, after consultation with the Secretary of State, make a scheme for determining the charges which are to be paid to the Authority in respect of the performance of such of its functions as are specified in the scheme ; and a scheme under this section may as respects any of those functions—
(a)specify the amount of the charge or a scale of charges by reference to which that amount is to be ascertained or provide that the charges shall be of such amount, not exceeding that specified in the scheme, as may be decided by the Authority having regard to the expense incurred by the Authority in performing the function in question and to such other factors (if any) as may be so specified ;
(b)provide for different charges for cases of such different descriptions as may be so specified ;
(c)specify the manner in which, the time at which and the person by whom any charge is to be paid.
(2)A scheme under this section shall come into force on such day as may be specified in the scheme, not being earlier than the expiration of the period of sixty days beginning with the day on which the scheme is published in the prescribed manner; and a scheme made under this section may vary or revoke a previous scheme so made.
(3)Regulations may make provision for determining the charges which are to be paid to the Authority, or for securing that no charge is payable to the Authority, in respect of such of its functions as may be prescribed; and regulations for determining the said charges may—
(a)prescribe the amount of a charge or the maximum or minimum amount of a charge or a scale of charges by reference to which those amounts are to be ascertained ;
(b)prescribe the manner in which, the time at which and the person by whom a charge is to be paid.
(4)In so far as a scheme and regulations under this section make different provision with respect to the same matter the provision made by the scheme shall be disregarded.
(5)Where as respects any function of the Authority provision for a charge to be paid is made by virtue of this section it shall be the duty of the Authority to charge accordingly, except that the Authority may if it thinks fit to do so in a particular case waive the whole or part of the charge; and any charge payable by virtue of this section may be recovered by the Authority in any court of competent jurisdiction.
(6)Nothing in the preceding provisions of this section shall be construed as derogating from the power of the Authority to enter into an agreement for the payment to the Authority of charges of such amounts as may be determined in pursuance of the agreement in respect of the performance by the Authority of any of its functions, other than a function in respect of which provision is made in pursuance of those provisions for the making of a charge or of no charge.
(7)Charges shall not be determined in pursuance of this section, or by the Authority in exercise of the power mentioned in the preceding subsection, in respect of the provision of air navigation services ; and provision shall not be made by or under an Air Navigation Order for the payment of fees to the Authority.