PART 1Call-in for national security
CHAPTER 1Call-in power
1Call-in notice for national security purposes
(1)
The Secretary of State may give a notice if the Secretary of State reasonably suspects that—
(a)
a trigger event has taken place in relation to a qualifying entity or qualifying asset, and the event has given rise to or may give rise to a risk to national security, or
(b)
arrangements are in progress or contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in a trigger event taking place in relation to a qualifying entity or qualifying asset, and the event may give rise to a risk to national security.
(2)
For the purposes of this Act, in considering whether a trigger event has taken place, or whether arrangements are in progress or contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in a trigger event taking place, the effect of section 13(1) (notifiable acquisitions that are void) must be disregarded.
(3)
A notice under subsection (1) is referred to in this Act as a call-in notice.
(4)
If the Secretary of State decides to give a call-in notice, the notice must be given to—
(a)
the acquirer,
(b)
if the trigger event relates to a qualifying entity, the entity, and
(c)
such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
(5)
The call-in notice must include a description of the trigger event to which it relates and state the names of the persons to whom the notice is given.
(6)
The Secretary of State may not give a call-in notice unless a statement has been published (and not withdrawn) for the purposes of section 3.
(7)
The Secretary of State must have regard to that statement before giving a call-in notice.
(8)
But nothing in the statement limits the power to give a call-in notice.