§ ' .—(1) The power under subsection (2) below—
- (a) is exercisable by a body which is a relevant port authority in any case where that body proposes to form or has formed a company in pursuance of section 1 above; and
- (b) is exercisable by a body which was such an authority immediately before the transfer under section 2 above to a company formed by that body of its property, rights, liabilities and functions;
§ (2) The body concerned may on such terms as it thinks fit agree with any persons who at the time of the agreement qualify for assistance from it under this section—
- (a) to indemnify those persons in respect of the whole or any part of any expenditure to which subsection (4) below applies; or
- (b) to discharge on their behalf the whole or any part of any liability to which that subsection applies.
§ (3) For the purposes of subsection (2) above persons qualify for assistance under this section from any body if—
- (a) each of them satisfies the employment condition as regards assistance from that body;
- (b) they have formulated a proposal for maximising participation by employees of the relevant company in ownership of its equity share capital; and
- (c)they appear to the body concerned to be best placed to secure the implementation of such a proposal.
§ (4) This subsection applies to any expenditure or liability of the persons concerned incurred wholly and exclusively for the purposes of the proposal mentioned in subsection (3)(b) above.
§ (5) A person satisfies the employment condition as regards assistance under this section from any body—
- (a) so long as it is a relevant port authority, if he is employed by it; and
- (b) after it has ceased to be such an authority, if he is employed by the relevant company.'.—[Mr. McLoughlin.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
6.10 pm§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Patrick McLoughlin)I beg to move, That the clause be read a Second time.
§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Paul Dean)With this, it will be convenient to consider the following: Government new clause 3—Financial assistance for proposal to maximise employee participation in equity of the company.