(1)After section 57(1) of the Police Act 1996 (common services: power for Secretary of State to provide and maintain etc. organisations, facilities and services which promote the efficiency or effectiveness of police) insert—
“(1A)The power conferred by subsection (1) includes power to give financial assistance to any person in connection with the provision or maintenance of such organisations, facilities and services as are mentioned in that subsection.
(1B)Financial assistance under subsection (1)—
(a)may, in particular, be given in the form of a grant, loan or guarantee or investment in a body corporate; and
(b)may be given subject to terms and conditions determined by the Secretary of State;
but any financial assistance under that subsection other than a grant requires the consent of the Treasury.
(1C)Terms and conditions imposed under subsection (1B)(b) may include terms and conditions as to repayment with or without interest.
(1D)Any sums received by the Secretary of State by virtue of terms and conditions imposed under that subsection are to be paid into the Consolidated Fund.”
(2)Any loan made by the Secretary of State by virtue of section 57 of the Police Act 1996 (c. 16) and outstanding on the day on which this Act is passed is to be treated as if it were a loan made in accordance with that section as amended by subsection (1) above.