Subject to the following provisions of this section, the Police Authority may for the purposes of its functions provide and maintain buildings and equipment.

Subject to the following provisions of this section, the powers of the Police Authority under this section in so far as they relate to the provision or maintenance of buildings and equipment wholly or mainly for police purposes shall be exercised, on behalf of and in the name of the Authority, by the Chief Constable.

For the purposes of this section the decision of the Secretary of State as to whether any building or equipment is provided or maintained wholly or mainly for police purposes shall be final.

The Police Authority may enter into arrangements with any other person for the maintenance, on such terms as the Authority with the approval of the Secretary of State may determine, of equipment used by that person; and maintenance of equipment carried out in pursuance of any such arrangements shall be treated for the purposes of this section as maintenance of equipment wholly for police purposes.

Nothing in this section confers power to acquire or hold land.

The power conferred by this section to provide buildings shall not be exercised except with the consent of the Secretary of State.

The power conferred by this section to provide equipment is subject to any regulations under section 40.

The power conferred by this section to provide buildings or equipment includes power to enter into a contract with another person for the provision or making available of buildings or equipment together with any services relating to such buildings or equipment.