PART 1Strategic highways companies

Finance

I117Financial assistance

1

The Secretary of State may provide financial assistance—

a

to a strategic highways company, for the purpose of any of its functions, or

b

to any other person, for the promotion or improvement of transport services by land in England.

2

Financial assistance may be provided in such form and on such terms as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.

3

The form in which financial assistance may be provided includes in particular—

a

grants,

b

loans, or

c

guarantees.

4

The terms on which financial assistance may be provided include in particular—

a

in the case of a grant or a loan, terms as to repayment;

b

in the case of a guarantee, terms as to reimbursement.

5

Subsection (1) does not affect any other power of the Secretary of State to provide financial assistance.

6

Subsection (1)(b) does not authorise the Secretary of State to provide financial assistance that he or she may provide under section 6 of the Railways Act 2005 (financial assistance relating to rail services).

7

In section 17(1)(e) of the Ministry of Transport Act 1919 (power to make advances for the promotion and improvement of transport services by land or water), after “by land” insert “ in Wales ”.