18.—(1) A CRO and RRO are each entitled to recover their charges for services rendered and expenses incurred for and in connection with a Scottish parliamentary election, provided those services and expenses were necessary for the efficient and effective conduct of the election.
(2) The Scottish Ministers may, by regulations—
(a)specify a total amount that such charges may not exceed;
(b)provide a method for calculating the total amount that those charges may not exceed;
(c)specify, or provide a method for calculating, total amounts for services or expenses of particular types;
(d)make provision as to the time when, and the manner and form in which, accounts are to be submitted to the Scottish Ministers for payment of such charges.
(3) A CRO or RRO may not recover more than any total amount set by regulations under paragraph (2), unless the Scottish Ministers are satisfied that it was reasonable for the CRO or RRO to render the services or incur the expenses, and that the charges are reasonable.
(4) Regulations under paragraph (2) may—
(a)make different provision for different cases, circumstances or areas;
(b)vary, amend or revoke any previous such regulations;
(c)contain such incidental, supplemental, saving or transitional provisions as the Scottish Ministers think fit.
(5) The amount of any charges recoverable in accordance with this article shall be charged on and paid out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund on an account being submitted to the Scottish Ministers, but the Scottish Ministers may if they think fit, before payment, apply for the account to be taxed under the provisions of article 19.
(6) Where a local authority requires to pay superannuation contributions in respect of any person that are increased by a fee paid under this article as part of the charges of a CRO or RRO at a Scottish parliamentary election, then on an account being submitted to the Scottish Ministers a sum equal to the increase shall be charged on and paid out of the Scottish Consolidated Fund to the local authority.
(7) On a request by a CRO or RRO for an advance on account of their charges, the Scottish Ministers may make such an advance, on such terms as they think fit.