Section 257: Minor definitions etc
781.This section contains more definitions. It is based on sections 289(9), 291B(10), 293(3A), (6D) and (8AA), 297(5A), 308(2) and 312(1), (2), (4), (4B), (5) and (6) of ICTA.
782.The definitions of “group”, “group company”, “parent company” and “single company” are new.
783.These new labels rely on the way “qualifying subsidiary” is defined in this Part. The definitions of “subsidiary” and “51% subsidiary” in section 312(1) of ICTA have not been reproduced. Instead “qualifying subsidiary” is explained in section 191 and “51% subsidiary” in section 989.
784.The definition of “51% subsidiary” in section 312(1) of ICTA adds a condition that the definition applies for a particular period (period A in the sections). The aim has been to reproduce the same effect of this definition without carrying over the same level of complication. (See the commentary on section 168(5).)
785.In some cases the definition of a term included in the Act-wide index of defined expressions in Schedule 4 is distinguished from the particular use of the term in this Part.
786.For example, the definition of “control” in subsection (3) sets out the references to control which are explained by section 416(2) to (6) of ICTA. The entry in Schedule 4, which refers to the meaning in section 995 has a signpost to the exceptions in this subsection.
787.The two references to the “reduction” of relief in subsection (7)(b) are new: section 312(6) of ICTA refers only to the withdrawal of relief.
788.The word “withdrawal” in EIS is used both for the occasions for a clawback of relief (in particular in the provisions in Chapter 6) and for the procedure for withdrawing relief which is set out in Chapter 7.
789.Although the word “withdrawal” can cover both a full and a partial withdrawal of relief, this is made explicit in sections 307 and 310 of ICTA by section 307(8A) and section 310(9A). These subsections note that “references in this section to the withdrawal of relief include its reduction”. This has been handled in this Part by spelling out, wherever relevant, that the rules encompass both the reduction and withdrawal of relief.
790.Making reference to the reduction as well as the withdrawal of relief in subsection (7) ensures that there is consistency with the language used for the occasion of a clawback and with sections 307 and 310 of ICTA, which are concerned with the procedure for withdrawing relief.
791.Subsection (8) is new. Paragraph 102(7)(a) of Schedule 15 to FA 2000 (corporate venturing scheme) contains a similar provision.
792.The subsection interprets the reference to requirements being met “for the time being” in section 204(1) (compliance certificates) and section 205(1) (compliance statements), derived from section 306 of ICTA. At the time the compliance certificate is issued by the issuing company it cannot be known if all the EIS requirements will be met in the relevant period.
793.The interpretation addresses this by treating conditions that must be met over a period of time as met at times before that period has ended (provided the condition then remains capable of being met). See Change 57 in Annex 1.
