111.This section enables the Authority to cancel or vary a permission on its own initiative on behalf of an overseas regulatory authority. The section gives the Treasury power to prescribe by regulations the sort of overseas authority that the Authority to help. The functions that it is proposed should be prescribed in this way are functions corresponding to those of:
the Authority itself under this Act;
the competent authority for listing;
the Secretary of State under the Companies Act; and
the prosecuting authorities for insider dealing and money laundering.
112.However, even where the overseas regulator and the provisions they are seeking to enforce meet these requirements, the Authority is not obliged to act in accordance with the request. The Authority must act reasonably, as it must in discharging any of its functions, but it is also directed to consider certain factors in particular. First among these is whether EC law obliges the Authority, as the competent authority under one of the single market directives or otherwise, to assist the overseas authority. Unless there is an EC obligation to act the Authority must consider the further factors listed in subsection (4) which include the seriousness of the case and the public interest. The Authority is also able to charge a contribution towards the costs of taking the enforcement action, and to make this a condition of exercising the power. (Note: The reference to subsection (4) in the definition of “request” in subsection (7) is an error. It should only refer to subsection (5).)