Forensic Science Regulator Act 2021

Section 1

SCHEDULE The Regulator

Status

1 The Regulator carries out functions on behalf of the Crown.

2 Service as the Regulator is not service in the civil service of the state.

Appointment and terms of office

3 (1) The Regulator is to be appointed by the Secretary of State.

(2) The Regulator must be a person who appears to the Secretary of State to have expertise in forensic science.

(3) The Regulator holds office in accordance with the terms of the Regulator’s appointment.

(4) Sub-paragraph (5) applies to any person who, at the time this Schedule comes into force, holds the office known immediately before that time as the Forensic Science Regulator.

(5) That person—

(a) is to be treated as having been appointed as the Regulator by the Secretary of State under sub-paragraph (1) at that time, and

(b) holds office as the Regulator in accordance with the terms of the person’s appointment to the office mentioned in sub-paragraph (4).

Remuneration etc

4 (1) The Secretary of State may pay to or in respect of the Regulator such remuneration as the Secretary of State may determine.

(2) The Secretary of State may—

(a) pay such pension, allowances or gratuities as the Secretary of State may determine to or in respect of a person who is or has been the Regulator, or

(b) make such payments as the Secretary of State may determine towards provision for the payment of a pension, allowances or gratuities to or in respect of such a person.

(3) Sub-paragraph (4) applies if the Secretary of State determines that there are special circumstances which make it right for a person ceasing to be the Regulator to receive compensation.

(4) The Secretary of State may pay to the person a sum by way of compensation of such amount as the Secretary of State may determine.

Expenses

5 The Secretary of State may pay to the Regulator or another person amounts in respect of expenses incurred by the Regulator in the exercise of the Regulator’s functions.

Staff etc

6 The Secretary of State may, after consultation with the Regulator, provide the Regulator with—

(a) such staff, and

(b) such accommodation, equipment and other facilities,

as the Secretary of State considers necessary for the carrying out of the Regulator’s functions.

7 A person employed in the civil service of the State continues to be employed in the civil service of the State during any period of service as a member of the staff mentioned in paragraph 6(a).

Investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner

8 In Schedule 2 to the Parliamentary Commissioner Act 1967 (departments etc subject to investigation), at the appropriate place insert—

• “The Forensic Science Regulator.”

House of Commons disqualification

9 In Part 3 of Schedule 1 to the House of Commons Disqualification Act 1975 (other disqualifying offices), at the appropriate place insert—

• “The Forensic Science Regulator.”

Freedom of information

10 In Part 6 of Schedule 1 to the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (public authorities to which that Act applies), at the appropriate place insert—

• “The Forensic Science Regulator.”

Public sector equality duty

11 In Part 1 of Schedule 19 to the Equality Act 2010 (authorities subject to the public sector equality duty), in the group of entries under the heading “Criminal justice”, at the appropriate place insert—

• “The Forensic Science Regulator.”