In section 16 (payment for assistance with investigations), for subsections (5) and (6) substitute—

“(5)

In this section (subject to subsection (6))—

(a)

references to a police force and to a police authority maintaining a police force include references to the Serious Organised Crime Agency; and

(b)

in relation to that Agency, references to the chief officer are references to the Director General.

(6)

This section shall have effect in relation to cases in which assistance is required to be provided by the Serious Organised Crime Agency as if—

(a)

the reference in subsection (3)(b) to police authorities generally included a reference to the Agency; and

(b)

the reference in subsection (4)(b) to police authorities generally were a reference to the Agency.”