Finance Act 1996

53 Bodies concerned with the environment. U.K.

(1) Regulations may be made under section 51 above with a view to securing that a person is entitled to credit if—

(a) he pays a sum to a body whose objects are or include the protection of the environment, and

(b) such other conditions as may be prescribed are fulfilled.

(2) The regulations may in particular prescribe conditions—

(a) requiring bodies to which sums are paid (environmental bodies) to be approved by another body (the regulatory body);

(b) requiring the regulatory body to be approved by the Commissioners;

(c) requiring sums to be paid with the intention that they be expended on such matters connected with the protection of the environment as may be prescribed.

(3) The regulations may include provision under section 51(5)(b) or (c) above requiring repayment or payment if—

(a) a sum is not in fact expended on matters prescribed under subsection (2)(c) above, or

(b) a prescribed condition turns out not to have been fulfilled.

(4) The regulations may include—

(a) provision for determining the amount of credit (including provision for limiting it);

(b) provision that matters connected with the protection of the environment include such matters as overheads (including administration) of environmental bodies and the regulatory body;

(c) provision as to the matters by reference to which an environmental body or the regulatory body can be, and remain, approved (including matters relating to the functions and activities of any such body);

(d) provision allowing approval of an environmental body or the regulatory body to be withdrawn (whether prospectively or retrospectively);

(e) provision that, if approval of the regulatory body is withdrawn, another body may be approved in its place or its functions may be performed by the Commissioners;

(f) provision allowing the Commissioners to disclose to the regulatory body information which relates to the tax affairs of persons carrying out taxable activities and which is relevant to the credit scheme established by the regulations.