121.This section allows the Scottish Ministers to set out fees for various aspects of the air weapon licensing regime in secondary legislation. Regulations under this section will be subject to the negative procedure in the Scottish Parliament. Subsection (1) provides that a fee can be set in relation to any application for a certificate, permit etc. under this Part, or to any other service provided by the Chief Constable in relation to the Chief Constable’s performance of functions under the Part. Subsection (2) provides that the Scottish Ministers may set out a range of fees taking into account different circumstances – for example, lower fees for co-terminous certificates – as well as situations where a fee may be waived entirely. Subsection (2)(c) allows fees to be raised or reduced by reference to factors specified in the regulations, such as inflation.
122.Subsection (3) provides that until the appropriate fee is tendered with an application it is not valid and this means the Chief Constable cannot consider any application under the Act until the appropriate fee has been paid.