Antarctic Act 1994

16 Delegation of powers under sections 11 and 12 etc

(1) Any of the Secretary of State’s powers relating to the granting of permits under section 11 or 12, or the revocation or suspension of permits granted under section 11 or 12, may be delegated by him to any person—

(a) who holds office as Administrator of the British Antarctic Territory (or who holds an appointment, by whatever name called, having functions similar to those performed by the person holding that office on the date of the passing of this Act),

(b) who holds office as Director of the British Antarctic Survey (or who holds an appointment, by whatever name called, having functions similar to those performed by the person holding that office on the date of the passing of this Act), or

(c) who is for the time being running a station in Antarctica on behalf of a person such as is mentioned in paragraph (b).

(2) Where any powers have been delegated under subsection (1) to a person such as is mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b) of that subsection, they may be exercised by any person who—

(a) is for the time being exercising the functions of the person to whom the powers have been delegated, and

(b) is authorised (whether generally or specially) for the purposes of this section by that person or by the Secretary of State.

(3) References in sections 13 to 15 to the Secretary of State include references to any person exercising any powers by virtue of this section.

(4) Any person to whom powers have been delegated under subsection (1) shall, as soon as practicable after the end of—

(a) the period ending with the first 30th June after the delegation took effect, and

(b) every subsequent period of twelve months ending with 30th June during any part of which the delegation has effect,

give a report to the Secretary of State in respect of that period.

(5) A report given under subsection (4) in respect of a period shall contain such particulars as the Secretary of State may require of—

(a) any permits granted, revoked or suspended during that period by the person giving the report (or by any other person exercising the powers delegated to that person), and

(b) any information received during that period by the person giving the report (or by any other person exercising the powers delegated to that person) in accordance with conditions attached to permits.

(6) The Secretary of State may from time to time by notice in writing to a person to whom powers have been delegated substitute a different period for any period in respect of which that person is required to give a report under subsection (4).