Commencement, citation and interpretation

1. —(1) This Order may be cited as the Learning and Skills Council for England (Interim Functions) Order 2000 and shall come into force on 1st September 2000.

(2) In this Order—

“the Act” means the Learning and Skills Act 2000 ; and

“the Council” means the Learning and Skills Council for England.

Interim functions of the Council

2. —(1) Until sections 2, 3, 8, 12(6) and 13 of the Act come into force the Council may (in addition to any powers conferred on it under provisions of the Act which are in force)—

(a) do anything which appears to be necessary or expedient in preparation for the exercise of the functions conferred by any of those sections when they come into force; and

(b) in connection with the powers conferred by sub-paragraph (a), give financial assistance to persons proposing to provide facilities described in section 8(1) or (2) of the Act or to persons proposing to provide information, advice or guidance about education or training or connected matters (including employment).

(2) If the Council provides financial resources under the power conferred by paragraph (1)(b) above it may impose conditions; and the conditions may—

(a) enable the Council to require the repayment (in whole or part) of sums paid by the Council if any of the conditions subject to which the sums were paid is not complied with; and

(b) require the payment of interest in respect of any period in which a sum due to the Council is unpaid.