22 Guarantees
(1) The Scottish Ministers may guarantee, in such manner and on such conditions as they think fit, the discharge of any financial obligation in connection with any sum which a National Park authority borrows from any person.
(2) Where the Scottish Ministers give a guarantee under this section they must forthwith lay a statement of the guarantee before the Parliament.
(3) Where any sum is paid out in fulfilment of a guarantee under this section, the Scottish Ministers must, as soon as reasonably practicable after the end of each financial year (beginning with that in which the sum is paid out and ending with that in which all liability in respect of the principal of the sum and in respect of interest on it is finally discharged), lay before the Parliament a statement relating to that sum.
(4) Where any sum is paid out in fulfilment of a guarantee under this section, the authority which borrowed the sum by reference to which the guarantee was given must make to the Scottish Ministers, at such times and in such manner as they may from time to time direct_
(a) payments of such amounts as they may so direct in or towards repayment of the sum so paid out, and
(b) payments of interest, at such rate as they may so direct, on what is outstanding for the time being in respect of the sum so paid out.
Explanatory Notes Section 22 Guarantees This section enables The Scottish Ministers to provide a guarantee, with conditions, to a National Park body in respect of its borrowing from another person. If they do so, The Scottish Ministers must provide a statement of the guarantee to the Scottish Parliament (sub-section (2)). If they pay out any money to fulfil such a guarantee, they must also inform Parliament (sub-section (3)), and the National Park authority must repay the amount and interest as directed. |