The Fishing Vessels (Decommissioning) (Scotland) Scheme 2003

Eligibility and claims for payment of grant

7.—(1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2) and paragraph 15, applicants whose applications have been approved under paragraph 6 shall be eligible for payment of grant in accordance with paragraph 11.

(2) Subject to paragraph (3), no grant shall be paid to an applicant in respect of any vessel unless–

(a) a claim form in respect of that application, signed by the applicant, has been lodged with the Scottish Ministers on or before the appropriate decommissioning date; and

(b) the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that the requirements set out in paragraphs 8 and 9 have been complied with.

(3) The Scottish Ministers may make an advance payment to an applicant of grant up to a maximum of 50% of the total grant provided that applicant has as at the date the advance payment is made–

(a) complied with paragraphs 8(1) and (2) and 9; and

(b) complied with any conditions imposed by virtue of paragraph 6(2).

(4) In this Scheme “the appropriate decommissioning date” means such date as the Scottish Ministers may from time to time determine.

(5) The Scottish Ministers shall publish a notice specifying the appropriate decommissioning date in such manner as they consider appropriate.

(6) A claim form submitted in pursuance of a notice published under sub-paragraph (5) shall be in writing, shall be made in such form and manner, shall include such information and declarations and shall be delivered to such address as the Scottish Ministers may specify in the notice or from time to time require and (without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing) shall include declarations that–

(a) the vessel has been decommissioned in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 8;

(b) all licences and claims to licences have been surrendered in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 9(1)(a); and

(c) the vessel has been removed from the register.

(7) An applicant shall furnish all such further information in support of the claim form as the Scottish Ministers may specify in the notice or from time to time require.

(8) The Scottish Ministers shall revoke an approval in respect of which no claim has been lodged on or before the appropriate decommissioning date.