(1)The Secretary of State may give or arrange for the giving of financial assistance in respect of expenditure incurred or to be incurred in any matter related to or connected with a DEFRA function.
(2)Financial assistance under this section may be given in any form, and may in particular be given by way of a grant, a loan or a guarantee.
(3)Financial assistance under this section may be given subject to such conditions as may be determined by, or in accordance with arrangements made by, the Secretary of State.
(4)The conditions may, in particular, include (in the case of a grant) conditions for repayment in specified circumstances.
(5)“DEFRA function” means a function which falls to be performed by or through the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
(6)A certificate issued by the Secretary of State that a function falls to be performed as mentioned in subsection (5) is conclusive evidence of that fact.
(7)The power to give financial assistance under this section may be exercised even though a more specific power to give financial assistance exists.