(1)The Chief Counting Officer is entitled to recover from the Scottish Ministers charges for, and any expenses incurred in connection with, the exercise by the Chief Counting Officer of functions under this Act.
(2)A counting officer is entitled to recover from the Scottish Ministers charges for, and any expenses incurred in connection with, the exercise by the counting officer of functions under this Act.
(3)The amount of charges and expenses recoverable under this section is not to exceed such maximum amount as is specified in, or determined under, an order made by the Scottish Ministers.
(4)An order under subsection (3)—
(a)may make different provision for different functions, cases or areas,
(b)may include incidental and supplementary provision.
(5)If the Chief Counting Officer or a counting officer requests from the Scottish Ministers an advance on account of any charges or expenses recoverable by the officer from the Scottish Ministers under this section, the Scottish Ministers may make such advance on such terms as they think fit.