Public Health (Control of Disease) Act 1984

71 Default powers of Secretary of State

(1) If the Secretary of State is satisfied that any local authority, port health authority or joint board have failed to discharge their functions under a relevant provision of this Act in any case where they ought to have discharged them, he may make an order declaring them to be in default and directing them for the purpose of removing the default to discharge such of their functions, and in such manner and within such time or times, as may be specified in the order.

(2) If the authority or board with respect to whom an order has been made under subsection (1) above fail to comply with any requirement of the order within the time limited by the order for compliance with that requirement, the Secretary of State, in lieu of enforcing the order by mandamus or otherwise, may make an order transferring to himself such of the functions of the body in default as may be specified in his order.

(3) Where the Secretary of State has by order under subsection (2) above transferred any functions to himself, any expenses incurred by him in discharging those functions shall be paid in the first instance out of moneys provided by Parliament, but the amount of those expenses as certified by the Secretary of State shall on demand be paid to him by the body in default, and shall be recoverable by him from them as a debt due to the Crown; and that body shall have the like power of raising the money required as they have of raising money for defraying expenses incurred directly by them.

(4) The payment of any such expenses shall, to such extent as may be sanctioned by the Secretary of State, be a purpose for which a local authority, port health authority or joint board may borrow money in accordance with the statutory provisions relating to borrowing by that authority or board.

(5) In any case where the Secretary of State has made an order under subsection (2) above, he may by order vary or revoke that order, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done under it.

(6) Where any such order is so revoked, the Secretary of State may, either by the revoking order or by a subsequent order, make such provision as appears to him to be desirable with respect to the transfer, vesting and discharge of any property or liabilities acquired or incurred by him in discharging any of the functions to which the revoked order related.