Regulation 11 Exercise of functions by the Sea Fish Industry Authority

Any functions of the Scottish Ministers under these Regulations either generally or in relation to financial assistance in connection with particular categories of relevant operation which the Authority has been required to exercise pursuant to section 2(5) of the Fisheries Act 1981^f1 shall be discharged on behalf of the Authority by members of the Authority appointed in accordance with section 1(3) of the Fisheries Act 1981 to the exclusion of the other members and the Scottish Ministers may from time to time issue directions as to the manner in which such functions may be exercised.

The Authority shall keep such accounts with respect to any payments made by or to it pursuant to its exercise of functions under these Regulations as the Scottish Ministers may direct and shall prepare, in respect of each financial year, a statement of the accounts in such form and giving such information as may be directed.

The accounts for each financial year shall, in accordance with a scheme of audit approved by the Scottish Ministers, be audited by the persons appointed in respect of that year to audit the other accounts of the Authority and the auditors shall be furnished by the Authority with copies of the statements of accounts.

The auditors shall complete the audit of the accounts and shall send the Scottish Ministers copies of the statement of accounts and of their report on the accounts and the statement as soon as possible after the end of the financial year to which they relate and in any event not later than 30th September following the end of that year.

The Scottish Ministers and the Auditor General for Scotland shall be entitled to inspect all books, papers and other records of the Authority relating to, or to matters dealt with, in the accounts required to be kept pursuant to this regulation.