5.—(1) In these Regulations, “competent authority” means—
(a)a Minister of the Crown, government department, public or statutory undertaker, or public body of any description or person holding a public office;
(b)the Scottish Ministers;
(c)the Welsh Ministers;
(d)any Northern Ireland department; and
(e)any person exercising any function of a person or body referred to in sub-paragraphs (a) to (d).
(2) In paragraph (1)(a), “public office” means—
(a)an office under Her Majesty;
(b)an office created or continued in existence by a public general Act of Parliament; or
(c)an office the remuneration in respect of which is paid out of public funds.