(1)Subject to the provisions of this Part, it shall be for an officer of the Board—
(a)to decide whether for the purposes of Parts I to V of the [1992 c. 4.] Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 a person is or was an earner and, if so, the category of earners in which he is or was to be included,
(b)to decide whether a person is or was employed in employed earner’s employment for the purposes of Part V of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (industrial injuries),
(c)to decide whether a person is or was liable to pay contributions of any particular class and, if so, the amount that he is or was liable to pay,
(d)to decide whether a person is or was entitled to pay contributions of any particular class that he is or was not liable to pay and, if so, the amount that he is or was entitled to pay,
(e)to decide whether contributions of a particular class have been paid in respect of any period,
(f)subject to and in accordance with regulations made for the purposes of this paragraph by the Secretary of State with the concurrence of the Board, to decide any issue arising as to, or in connection with, entitlement to statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay,
(g)to make any other decision that falls to be made under Part XI of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 (statutory sick pay) or Part XII of that Act (statutory maternity pay),
(h)to decide any question as to the issue and content of a notice under subsection (2) of section 121C of the [1992 c. 5.] Social Security Administration Act 1992 (liability of directors etc. for company’s contributions),
(i)to decide any issue arising under section 27 of the [1995 c. 18.] Jobseekers Act 1995 (employment of long-term unemployed: deductions by employers), or under any provision of regulations under that section, as to—
(i)whether a person is or was an employee or employer of another,
(ii)whether an employer is or was entitled to make any deduction from his contributions payments in accordance with regulations under section 27 of that Act,
(iii)whether a payment falls to be made to an employer in accordance with those regulations,
(iv)the amount that falls to be so deducted or paid, or
(v)whether two or more employers are, by virtue of regulations under section 27 of that Act, to be treated as one,
(j)to decide whether a person is liable to pay interest under paragraph 7B(2)(e) of Schedule 1 to the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992,
(k)to decide whether a person is liable to a penalty under—
(i)paragraph 7A(2) or 7B(2)(h) of Schedule 1 to the [1992 c. 4.] Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992, or
(ii)section 113(1)(a) of the [1992 c. 5.] Social Security Administration Act 1992,
(l)to decide the amount of interest or penalty payable under any of the provisions mentioned in paragraphs (j) and (k) above, and
(m)to decide such issues relating to contributions, other than the issues specified in paragraphs (a) to (l) above or in paragraphs 16 and 17 of Schedule 3 to the [1998 c. 14.] Social Security Act 1998, as may be prescribed by regulations made by the Board.
(2)Subsection (1)(c) and (e) above do not include any decision relating to Class 4 contributions other than a decision falling to be made—
(a)under subsection (1) of section 17 of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992 as to whether by regulations under that subsection a person is or was excepted from liability for Class 4 contributions, or his liability is or was deferred, or
(b)under regulations made by virtue of subsection (3) or (4) of that section or section 18 of that Act.
(3)Subsection (1)(g) above does not include—
(a)any decision as to the making of subordinate legislation, or
(b)any decision as to whether the liability to pay statutory sick pay or statutory maternity pay is a liability of the Board rather than the employer.
(4)Until the commencement of section 2 of this Act, the reference in subsection (1)(m) above to the Board shall have effect as a reference to the Secretary of State.