Police Act 1997

Part II The National Crime Squad

The Service Authority

47 The Service Authority for the National Crime Squad

(1) There shall be a body corporate to be known as the Service Authority for the National Crime Squad (in this Part referred to as “the NCS Service Authority”).

(2) Subject to the following provisions of this section, the NCS Service Authority shall consist of seventeen members.

(3) The Secretary of State may by order provide that the number of its members shall be a specified odd number greater than seventeen.

(4) Before making an order under subsection (3), the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) the NCS Service Authority (if it is then in existence),

(b) persons whom he considers to represent the interests of police authorities for areas in England and Wales, and

(c) persons whom he considers to represent the interests of chief officers of police of police forces in England and Wales.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under subsection (3) shall be laid before Parliament after being made.

(6) The NCS Service Authority may co-opt such additional members as it thinks fit.

(7) Parts I, III and IV of Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 shall have effect in relation to the NCS Service Authority.

Functions

48 General functions of the NCS Service Authority and the National Crime Squad

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall maintain a body to be known as the National Crime Squad.

(2) The function of the National Crime Squad shall be to prevent and detect serious crime which is of relevance to more than one police area in England and Wales.

(3) The National Crime Squad may also—

(a) at the request of a chief officer of police of a police force in England and Wales, act in support of the activities of his force in the prevention and detection of serious crime;

(b) at the request of the Director General of NCIS, act in support of the activities of NCIS;

(c) institute criminal proceedings;

(d) co-operate with other police forces in the United Kingdom in the prevention and detection of serious crime;

(e) act in support of other law enforcement agencies in the prevention and detection of serious crime.

(4) For the purposes of subsection (3), “law enforcement agency” includes—

(a) any government department,

(b) the States of Jersey Police Force, the salaried police force of the Island of Guernsey and the Isle of Man Constabulary,

(c) any other person charged with the duty of investigating offences or charging offenders, and

(d) any other person engaged outside the United Kingdom in the carrying on of activities similar to any carried on by the NCS Service Authority, the National Crime Squad, a police authority, a police force, the NCIS Service Authority or NCIS.

(5) In discharging its functions, the NCS Service Authority shall have regard to—

(a) any objectives determined by the Secretary of State under section 71,

(b) any objectives determined by the Authority under section 49,

(c) any performance targets established by the Authority, whether in compliance with a direction under section 72 or otherwise, and

(d) any service plan issued by the Authority under section 50.

(6) In discharging any function to which a code of practice issued under section 73 relates, the NCS Service Authority shall have regard to the code.

(7) The NCS Service Authority shall comply with any direction given to it by the Secretary of State under section 72 or 75 or under Schedule 5.

49 Objectives

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall secure that the National Crime Squad is efficient and effective.

(2) The NCS Service Authority shall, before the beginning of each financial year, determine objectives for that year for the National Crime Squad.

(3) Objectives determined under this section may relate to matters to which objectives determined under section 71 also relate, or to other matters, but in any event shall be so framed as to be consistent with the objectives determined under that section.

(4) Before determining objectives under this section, the NCS Service Authority shall consult—

(a) the Director General of the National Crime Squad,

(b) the NCIS Service Authority, and

(c) persons whom it considers to represent the interests of police authorities for areas in England and Wales.

50 Service plans

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall, before the beginning of each financial year, issue a plan setting out the proposed arrangements for the carrying out by the National Crime Squad of its functions during the year (“the service plan”).

(2) The service plan shall include a statement of the Authority’s priorities for the year, of the financial resources expected to be available and of the proposed allocation of those resources, and shall give particulars of—

(a) any objectives determined by the Secretary of State under section 71,

(b) any objectives determined by the Authority under section 49, and

(c) any performance targets established by the Authority, whether in compliance with a direction under section 72 or otherwise.

(3) A draft of the service plan shall be prepared by the Director General of the National Crime Squad and submitted by him to the Authority for it to consider.

(4) Before issuing a service plan which differs from the draft submitted by the Director General under subsection (3), the Authority shall consult the Director General.

(5) The Authority shall arrange for every service plan issued by it under this section to be published in such manner as appears to it to be appropriate, and shall send a copy of the plan to—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) each police authority for an area in England and Wales,

(c) the chief officer of police of each police force in England and Wales,

(d) the NCIS Service Authority, and

(e) the Director General of NCIS.

51 Annual reports

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall, as soon as possible after the end of each financial year, issue a report on the carrying out of its functions during that year.

(2) A report issued under this section for any year shall include an assessment of the extent to which the service plan for that year issued under section 50 has been carried out.

(3) The NCS Service Authority shall arrange for every report issued by it under this section to be published in such manner as appears to it to be appropriate, and shall send a copy of the report to—

(a) the Secretary of State,

(b) each police authority for an area in England and Wales,

(c) the chief officer of police of each police force in England and Wales,

(d) the NCIS Service Authority, and

(e) the Director General of NCIS.

Director General and other members

52 Appointment of Director General

(1) The National Crime Squad shall have a Director General appointed by the NCS Service Authority on such terms and conditions as the Authority considers appropriate.

(2) The Director General shall be chosen by a panel of members of the Authority from a list of persons eligible for appointment which has been prepared by that panel and approved by the Secretary of State.

(3) A person is eligible for appointment as Director General for the purposes of subsection (2) if—

(a) he holds the rank of chief constable in a police force in Great Britain or in the Royal Ulster Constabulary,

(b) he is the Commissioner, an Assistant Commissioner or a Deputy Assistant Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis,

(c) he is the Commissioner of Police for the City of London, or

(d) he is, in accordance with regulations under section 50 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996, section 26 of the [1967 c. 77.] Police (Scotland) Act 1967 or section 25 of the [1970 c. 9(N.I.).] Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970, a constable eligible for appointment to any of the ranks or posts mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (c).

(4) The panel mentioned in subsection (2) shall be convened by the chairman of the NCS Authority and shall consist only of members of that Authority appointed—

(a) by the Secretary of State (other than under paragraph 6 of Schedule 1), or

(b) by local authority members of police authorities for areas in England and Wales (as defined in paragraph 14 of that Schedule).

(5) The Director General shall, on appointment, be attested as a constable by making a declaration in the form set out in Schedule 4 to the Police Act 1996 before a justice of the peace appointed for an area in England and Wales.

(6) Without prejudice to any other enactment conferring powers on constables for particular purposes, the Director General shall have all the powers and privileges of a constable throughout England and Wales and the adjacent United Kingdom waters.

(7) The Director General shall hold the rank of chief constable.

(8) In subsection (6)—

• “powers” includes powers under any enactment, whenever passed or made;

• “United Kingdom waters” means the sea and other waters within the seaward limits of the territorial sea;

and that subsection, so far as it relates to powers under any enactment, makes them exercisable throughout the United Kingdom waters whether or not the enactment applies to those waters apart from this provision.

53 Removal of Director General by the Authority

(1) Without prejudice to section 66 or to any regulations under section 81 or under the [1976 c. 35.] Police Pensions Act 1976, the NCS Service Authority, acting with the approval of the Secretary of State, may call upon the Director General of the National Crime Squad to retire in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness.

(2) Before seeking the approval of the Secretary of State for the purposes of subsection (1), the Authority shall give the Director General an opportunity to make representations and shall consider any representations that he makes.

(3) A Director General who is called upon to retire under subsection (1) shall retire on such date as the Authority may specify or on such earlier date as may be agreed upon between him and the Authority.

54 Deputy Director General

(1) The Director General of the National Crime Squad shall designate a police member of the National Crime Squad to whom section 55(2)(a) applies to exercise all the powers and duties of the Director General—

(a) during any absence, incapacity or suspension from duty of the Director General, or

(b) during any vacancy in the office of Director General.

(2) The Director General shall consult the NCS Service Authority before designating a member under subsection (1).

(3) No more than one person shall be authorised to act by virtue of a designation under subsection (1) at any one time; and a person so authorised shall not have power to act by virtue of that subsection for a continuous period exceeding three months except with the consent of the Secretary of State.

55 Members of the National Crime Squad

(1) The National Crime Squad shall consist of—

(a) the Director General appointed under section 52,

(b) persons appointed by the NCS Service Authority under this paragraph as police members of the National Crime Squad, and

(c) other persons appointed by the NCS Service Authority under this paragraph to be members of the National Crime Squad as employees of the Authority.

(2) A person shall be appointed as a police member of the National Crime Squad only if—

(a) he is appointed to the rank of assistant chief constable in the National Crime Squad and he met the requirements of subsection (3) immediately prior to his being appointed, or

(b) he is engaged with the National Crime Squad on a period of temporary service to which section 97 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 applies.

(3) A person meets the requirements of this subsection if—

(a) he holds the rank of assistant chief constable or a higher rank in a police force in Great Britain or in the Royal Ulster Constabulary,

(b) he holds the rank of commander or a higher rank in the metropolitan police force or in the City of London police force, or

(c) he is, in accordance with regulations under section 50 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996, section 26 of the [1967 c. 77.] Police (Scotland) Act 1967 or section 25 of the [1970 c. 9 (N.I.).] Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970, a constable eligible for appointment to the rank of assistant chief constable or commander in any of the police forces, or in the Constabulary, mentioned in paragraph (a) or (b).

(4) Subsections (5), (6) and (8) of section 52 apply to a police member to whom subsection (2)(a) above applies as they apply to the Director General of the National Crime Squad.

(5) A person appointed under subsection (1)(b) or (c) shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as the NCS Service Authority considers appropriate.

(6) Before making an appointment under subsection (1)(b) or (c), or determining the terms and conditions on which such an appointment is to be made, the NCS Service Authority shall consult the Director General of the National Crime Squad.

(7) A police member to whom subsection (2)(b) applies shall cease to be a member of the National Crime Squad at the end of his period of temporary service (unless re-appointed under this section).

(8) The NCS Service Authority shall exercise its powers under section 101 (and section 107) of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 so as to secure that, subject to subsection (9) below, the Director General of the National Crime Squad appoints persons under subsection (1)(b) or (c) to be members of the National Crime Squad.

(9) Subsection (8) shall not apply to—

(a) the appointment of any person to whom subsection (2)(a) applies as a police member, or

(b) the appointment of such other persons as may be agreed between the Director General and the Authority or, in the absence of agreement, as may be determined by the Secretary of State.

(10) Section 53 applies to a member appointed under this section, other than a member appointed by the Director General by virtue of subsection (8), as it applies to the Director General.

Functions of Director General

56 General function of Director General

(1) The National Crime Squad shall be under the direction and control of the Director General.

(2) In discharging his functions, the Director General shall have regard to the service plan issued by the NCS Service Authority under section 50.

57 Reports by Director General to the Authority

(1) The Director General of the National Crime Squad shall, as soon as possible after the end of each financial year, submit to the NCS Service Authority a general report on the activities of the Squad during that year.

(2) The Director General shall arrange for a report submitted by him under subsection (1) to be published in such manner as appears to him to be appropriate.

(3) The NCS Service Authority may require the Director General to submit to it a report on such matters connected with the activities of the National Crime Squad as may be specified in the requirement.

(4) A report submitted under subsection (3) shall be in such form as the Authority may specify.

(5) If it appears to the Director General that a report in compliance with subsection (3) would contain information which in the public interest ought not to be disclosed, or is not needed for the discharge of the functions of the Authority, he may request the Authority to refer the requirement to the Secretary of State; and in any such case the requirement shall be of no effect unless it is confirmed by the Secretary of State.

(6) The Authority may arrange, or require the Director General to arrange, for a report submitted under subsection (3) to be published in such manner as appears to the Authority to be appropriate.

Service Authority’s officers and employees

58 Officers and employees

(1) The NCS Service Authority may appoint officers and employees to enable the Authority to discharge its functions.

(2) Persons appointed under this section shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as the NCS Service Authority considers appropriate.

59 Appointment of clerk

The NCS Service Authority shall appoint a person to be the clerk to the Authority.

60 Appointment of persons not employed by the NCS Service Authority

Where the NCS Service Authority is required or authorised by any Act—

(a) to appoint a person to a specified office under the Authority, or

(b) to designate a person as having specified duties or responsibilities,

then, notwithstanding any provision of that Act to the contrary, the Authority may appoint or designate either a person employed by the Authority under section 58, or a person not holding any office or employment under the Authority.

Financial provisions

61 NCS service fund

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall keep a fund to be known as the NCS service fund.

(2) Subject to any regulations under the [1976 c. 35.] Police Pensions Act 1976 and to section 66 below, all receipts of the Authority shall be paid into the NCS service fund and all expenditure of the Authority shall be paid out of that fund.

(3) Accounts shall be kept by the Authority of payments made into or out of the NCS service fund.

62 Power to issue levies

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall, in respect of every financial year beginning after the establishment of that Authority, issue levies to—

(a) police authorities for areas in England and Wales (other than the metropolitan police district), and

(b) the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District.

(2) The Secretary of State shall, by order, make provision in relation to the calculation, setting, collection, administration and payment of levies under this section.

(3) An order under this section may include provision—

(a) as to apportionment of levies issued under this section;

(b) conferring a right to interest on anything unpaid.

(4) An order under this section may also include provision—

(a) that the Common Council of the City of London making calculations in accordance with section 32 of the [1992 c. 14.] Local Government Finance Act 1992 (originally or by way of substitute) may anticipate a levy;

(b) that a police authority established under section 3 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996, or the Receiver for the Metropolitan Police District, making calculations in accordance with section 43 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (originally or by way of substitute) may anticipate a levy;

(c) as to the treatment as special expenses of amounts so anticipated;

(d) as to the treatment of any levy actually issued.

(5) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

(6) Schedule 5 (which makes further provision in connection with levies under this section) shall have effect.

63 Initial financing of NCS Service Authority

The Secretary of State may make grants to the NCS Service Authority in respect of expenditure incurred (or to be incurred) by it at any time before the financial year in which revenue is first received by it as a result of levies issued by it under section 62.

64 Charges

(1) The NCS Service Authority may make charges in respect of the provision of any services, or an agreement for the provision of any services, to any person by the Authority or by the National Crime Squad.

(2) Any charges made under this section may include amounts calculated by reference to the expenditure incurred or expected to be incurred by the NCS Service Authority, or by the National Crime Squad, otherwise than directly in connection with the provision of the services concerned.

65 Acceptance of gifts and loans

(1) The NCS Service Authority may, in connection with the discharge of any of its functions, accept gifts of money, and gifts or loans of other property, on such terms as appear to the Authority to be appropriate.

(2) The terms on which gifts or loans are accepted under subsection (1) may include terms providing for the commercial sponsorship of any activity of the Authority or of the National Crime Squad.

66 Pensions and gratuities

(1) The NCS Service Authority may—

(a) pay, or make payments in respect of, pensions or gratuities to or in respect of any persons who are, or have been, its officers or employees;

(b) provide and maintain schemes (whether contributory or not) for the payment of pensions or gratuities to or in respect of any such persons.

(2) The NCS Service Authority may—

(a) pay, or make payments in respect of, such pensions or gratuities as it may determine, with the consent of the Secretary of State, to or in respect of any persons who are or have been the Director General of the National Crime Squad or police members of the Squad;

(b) provide and maintain such schemes (whether contributory or not) as it may determine, with the consent of the Secretary of State, for the payment of pensions or gratuities to or in respect of any such persons.

(3) Before exercising its powers under subsection (2), the Authority shall have regard to any provision made under the [1976 c. 35.] Police Pensions Act 1976 or section 25(2)(k) of the [1970 c. 9 (N.I.).] Police Act (Northern Ireland) 1970.

(4) References in this section to pensions and gratuities include references to pensions or gratuities by way of compensation to or in respect of any of the persons mentioned in subsection (1) or (2) who suffer loss of office or employment or loss or diminution of emoluments.

67 Revenue accounts and capital finance

In section 39 of the [1989 c. 42.] Local Government and Housing Act 1989, in subsection (1) (authorities to which provisions about revenue accounts and capital finance apply), after paragraph (j) there shall be inserted—

“(ja) the Service Authority for the National Crime Squad;”.

68 Financial administration

In section 111 of the [1988 c. 41.] Local Government Finance Act 1988, in subsection (2) (definition of “relevant authority” for the purposes of provisions regulating financial administration), after paragraph (e) there shall be inserted—

“(ea) the Service Authority for the National Crime Squad;”.

Special services

69 Provision of special services

The Director General of the National Crime Squad may, at the request of any person, provide services at any premises or in any locality in England and Wales, if those services are consistent with the functions of, and do not prejudice the efficiency or effectiveness of, the Squad.

Central supervision and direction

70 General duty of Secretary of State

The Secretary of State shall exercise his powers under this Part in such manner and to such extent as appears to him to be best calculated to promote the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Crime Squad.

71 Setting of objectives

(1) The Secretary of State may by order determine objectives for the National Crime Squad.

(2) Before making an order under this section, the Secretary of State shall consult—

(a) the NCS Service Authority,

(b) the Director General of the National Crime Squad,

(c) persons whom the Secretary of State considers to represent the interests of police authorities for areas in England and Wales,

(d) persons whom he considers to represent the interests of chief officers of police of police forces in England and Wales,

(e) the NCIS Service Authority, and

(f) the Director General of NCIS.

(3) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be laid before Parliament after being made.

72 Setting of performance targets

(1) Where an objective has been determined under section 71, the Secretary of State may direct the NCS Service Authority to establish levels of performance (“performance targets”) to be aimed at in seeking to achieve the objective.

(2) A direction given under this section may impose conditions with which the performance targets must conform.

(3) The Secretary of State shall arrange for any direction given under this section to be published in such manner as appears to him to be appropriate.

73 Codes of practice

(1) The Secretary of State may issue codes of practice relating to the discharge by the NCS Service Authority of its functions.

(2) The Secretary of State may from time to time revise the whole or part of any code of practice issued under this section.

(3) The Secretary of State shall lay before Parliament a copy of any code of practice, and of any revision of a code of practice, issued by him under this section.

74 Removal of Director General etc

(1) The Secretary of State may require the NCS Service Authority to exercise its power under section 53 to call upon the Director General of the National Crime Squad, or any other member (other than a member appointed by the Director General by virtue of section 55(8)) to retire in the interests of efficiency or effectiveness.

(2) Before—

(a) exercising any power conferred on him by subsection (1), or

(b) approving the exercise by the NCS Service Authority of its power under section 53,

the Secretary of State shall give the person in relation to whom it is proposed to exercise the power (the “relevant person”) an opportunity to make representations to him and shall consider any representations so made.

(3) Where representations are made under this section the Secretary of State may, and in a case where he proposes to exercise a power conferred by subsection (1) shall, appoint one or more persons to hold an inquiry and report to him.

(4) The Secretary of State shall take account of any report made under subsection (3).

(5) The person appointed under subsection (3) (or, in a case where more than one person is so appointed, at least one of the persons so appointed) shall not be an officer of police, of a Government department, of the National Crime Squad or of NCIS.

(6) The costs incurred by a relevant person in respect of an inquiry under this section, taxed in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct, shall be defrayed out of the NCS service fund.

75 Power to give directions after adverse report

(1) The Secretary of State may at any time require the inspectors of constabulary to carry out an inspection of the National Crime Squad under section 54 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996.

(2) Where a report made to the Secretary of State on an inspection carried out in accordance with this section states—

(a) that, in the opinion of the person making the report, the National Crime Squad is not efficient or not effective, or

(b) that in his opinion, unless remedial measures are taken, the National Crime Squad will cease to be efficient or will cease to be effective,

the Secretary of State may direct the NCS Service Authority to take such measures as may be specified in the direction.

76 Reports from NCS Service Authority

(1) The Secretary of State may require the NCS Service Authority to submit to him a report on such matters connected with the discharge of the Authority’s functions, or otherwise with the activities of the National Crime Squad, as may be specified in the requirement.

(2) A report submitted under subsection (1) shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may specify.

(3) The Secretary of State may arrange, or require the Authority to arrange, for a report under this section to be published in such manner as appears to him to be appropriate.

77 Reports from Director General

(1) The Secretary of State may require the Director General of the National Crime Squad to submit to him a report on such matters connected with the activities of the National Crime Squad as may be specified in the requirement.

(2) A report submitted under subsection (1) shall be in such form as the Secretary of State may specify.

(3) The Secretary of State may arrange, or require the Director General to arrange, for a report under this section to be published in such manner as appears to the Secretary of State to be appropriate.

(4) The Director General shall, as soon as possible after the end of each financial year, submit to the Secretary of State the like report as is required by section 57 to be submitted to the NCS Service Authority.

78 Criminal statistics

(1) The Director General of the National Crime Squad shall, at such times and in such form as the Secretary of State may direct, transmit to the Secretary of State such particulars with respect to offences, offenders, criminal proceedings and the state of crime as the Secretary of State may require.

(2) The Secretary of State shall cause a consolidated and classified abstract of the information transmitted to him under this section to be included in the abstract laid before Parliament under section 45 of the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996.

79 Inquiries

(1) The Secretary of State may cause an inquiry to be held by a person appointed by him into any matter connected with the National Crime Squad.

(2) An inquiry under this section shall be held in public or in private as the Secretary of State may direct.

(3) Subsections (2) and (3) of section 250 of the [1972 c. 70.] Local Government Act 1972 (power to summon and examine witnesses) shall apply to an inquiry held under this section as they apply to an inquiry held under that section.

(4) Where the report of the person holding an inquiry under this section is not published, a summary of his findings and conclusions shall be made known by the Secretary of State so far as appears to him consistent with the public interest.

(5) The Secretary of State may direct that the whole or part of the costs incurred by any person for the purposes of an inquiry held under this section shall be defrayed out of the NCS service fund; and any costs payable under this section shall be subject to taxation in such manner as the Secretary of State may direct.

80 Regulations as to standard of equipment

The Secretary of State may make regulations requiring equipment provided or used for the purposes of the National Crime Squad to satisfy such requirements as to design and performance as may be prescribed in the regulations.

Discipline and complaints

81 Discipline regulations

(1) The Secretary of State may make regulations as to the conduct of members of the National Crime Squad and the maintenance of discipline in that Squad.

(2) In relation to any matter as to which provision may be made by regulations under this section, the regulations may—

(a) authorise or require provision to be made by, or confer discretionary powers on, the NCS Service Authority, the Director General of the National Crime Squad or other persons, or

(b) authorise or require the delegation by any person of functions conferred on that person by or under the regulations.

(3) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

82 Appeals

(1) Where the Director General of the National Crime Squad, or a police member to whom section 55(2)(a) applies, is dismissed or required to resign by a decision taken under or by virtue of regulations made under section 81, he may appeal to an appeals tribunal against the decision except where he has a right of appeal to some other person; and in that case he may appeal to an appeals tribunal from any decision of that other person as a result of which he is dismissed or required to resign.

(2) Section 85(2) to (5) of, and Schedule 6 to, the [1996 c. 16.] Police Act 1996 (police appeals tribunals) shall apply, subject to such modifications as the Secretary of State may by order prescribe, in relation to an appeals tribunal and an appeal under subsection (1) above as they apply in relation to a police appeals tribunal and an appeal under section 85(1) of that Act.

(3) A statutory instrument containing an order under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

83 Complaints

(1) The Secretary of State shall, by regulations, make provision for the handling of any complaint about the conduct of any member of the National Crime Squad which is submitted by, or on behalf of, a member of the public.

(2) The procedures established by virtue of subsection (1) shall, so far as the Secretary of State thinks it desirable, be procedures corresponding or similar to those established by or by virtue of Chapter I of Part IV of the Police Act 1996 (police complaints), and for that purpose regulations may confer additional functions on the Police Complaints Authority.

(3) The Secretary of State may issue guidance to persons on whom functions are conferred by regulations under this section concerning the performance of their functions under those regulations, and they shall have regard to any such guidance in the performance of those functions.

(4) A statutory instrument containing regulations under this section shall be subject to annulment in pursuance of a resolution of either House of Parliament.

84 Information as to the manner of dealing with complaints etc

The NCS Service Authority in carrying out its duty under section 49(1), and the inspectors of constabulary in carrying out their duties with respect to the efficiency and effectiveness of the National Crime Squad, shall keep themselves informed as to the operation of procedures established under section 83.

Miscellaneous

85 Arrangements for consultation

(1) The NCS Service Authority shall, after consulting the Director General of the National Crime Squad, make arrangements for obtaining the views of—

(a) police authorities for areas in England and Wales,

(b) the NCIS Service Authority, and

(c) such other persons or bodies as the NCS Service Authority considers appropriate,

about the Authority and the National Crime Squad.

(2) The Director General of the National Crime Squad shall, after consulting the Authority, make arrangements for obtaining the views of—

(a) the chief officers of police of police forces in England and Wales,

(b) the Director General of NCIS, and

(c) such other persons or bodies as the Director General of the National Crime Squad considers appropriate,

about the National Crime Squad.

(3) Arrangements made under subsection (1) or (2) shall be reviewed from time to time.

(4) If it appears to the Secretary of State that arrangements made for consultation by the NCS Service Authority or the Director General under this section are not adequate for the purposes set out in subsection (1) or (2), he may require the Authority or Director General whose duty it is to make the arrangements to submit a report to him concerning the arrangements.

(5) After considering a report submitted under subsection (4), the Secretary of State may require the Authority or Director General who submitted it to review the arrangements and submit a further report to him concerning them.

(6) The Authority or Director General shall be under the same duties to consult when reviewing arrangements as when making them.

86 Liability for wrongful acts of constables etc

(1) The Director General of the National Crime Squad shall be liable in respect of torts committed by constables under his direction and control in the performance or purported performance of their functions in like manner as a master is liable in respect of torts committed by his servants in the course of their employment, and accordingly shall in respect of any such tort be treated for all purposes as a joint tortfeasor.

(2) There shall be paid out of the NCS service fund—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against the Director General in any proceedings brought against him by virtue of this section and any costs incurred by him in any such proceedings so far as not recovered by him in the proceedings, and

(b) any sum required in connection with the settlement of any claim made against the Director General by virtue of this section, if the settlement is approved by the NCS Service Authority.

(3) Any proceedings in respect of a claim made by virtue of this section shall be brought against the Director General of the National Crime Squad for the time being or, in the case of a vacancy in that office, against the person for the time being performing the functions of the Director General; and references in subsections (1) and (2) to the Director General shall be construed accordingly.

(4) The NCS Service Authority may, in such cases and to such extent as appear to it to be appropriate, pay out of the NCS service fund—

(a) any damages or costs awarded against a person to whom this subsection applies in proceedings for a tort committed by that person,

(b) any costs incurred and not recovered by such a person in such proceedings, and

(c) any sum required in connection with the settlement of a claim that has or might have given rise to such proceedings.

(5) Subsection (4) applies to a person who is—

(a) a member of the National Crime Squad, or

(b) a constable for the time being required to serve with the [1996 c. 16.] National Crime Squad by virtue of section 23 above or section 24 or 98 of the Police Act 1996.

87 Causing disaffection

Any person who causes, or attempts to cause, or does any act calculated to cause, disaffection amongst the members of the National Crime Squad within section 55(1)(a) or (b), or induces or attempts to induce, or does any act calculated to induce, any such member to withhold his services, shall be guilty of an offence and liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum, or to both;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine, or to both.

88 Application to NCS Service Authority of local authority enactments

Schedule 6 (which amends local authority enactments applying to police authorities so as to apply those enactments in a similar way to the NCS Service Authority) shall have effect.

General

89 Orders and regulations

Any power of the Secretary of State to make orders or regulations under this Part shall be exercisable by statutory instrument.

90 Interpretation of Part II

In this Part—

• “financial year” means the twelve months ending with 31st March;

• “NCIS” means the National Criminal Intelligence Service;

• “NCIS Service Authority” means the Service Authority for the National Criminal Intelligence Service;

• “NCS Service Authority” has the meaning given in section 47(1);

• “NCS service fund” means the fund established under section 61.