23.—(1) The Department may by order dissolve an HSS trust.
(2) An order under this paragraph may be made—
(a)on the application of the HSS trust concerned; or
(b)if the Department considers it appropriate in the interests of the health and personal social services.
(3) Except where it appears to the Department necessary to make an order under this paragraph as a matter of urgency, no such order shall be made until after the completion of such consultation as may be prescribed.
24.—(1) If an HSS trust is dissolved under this Part, the Department may by order transfer or provide for the transfer to—
(a)the Department,
(b)a relevant body,
(c)another HSS trust, of such of the property, rights and liabilities of the HSS trust which is dissolved as in the Department’s opinion is appropriate; and any such order may include provisions corresponding to those of Article 13.
(2) An order under this paragraph may make provision in connection with the transfer of staff employed by or for the purposes of the HSS trust which is dissolved; and such an order may include provisions corresponding to those of Articles 11 and 12 including provision for the making of a scheme by such relevant body or other body as may be specified in the order.
(3) No order shall be made under this paragraph until after the completion of such consultation as may be prescribed.
25. Without prejudice to the generality of paragraph 24, if an HSS trust is dissolved under this Part, the Department or such other HSS trust or relevant body as the Department may direct shall undertake the responsibility for the continued payment of any such pension, allowances or gratuities as, by virtue of paragraph 9(2) or paragraph 17, would otherwise have been the responsibility of the trust which has been dissolved.
26. An HSS trust may not be dissolved or wound up except in accordance with this Part.