Subsidy Control Bill (Eighth sitting)

Debate between Paul Scully and Michael Tomlinson

Thursday 4th November 2021 Public Bill Committees

[Paul Scully]

Clause 63 excludes individual subsidies granted through the mechanism of a subsidy scheme from being capable of referral to the subsidy advice unit under part 4. That aligns with the approach taken throughout the Bill. Public authorities may create subsidy schemes providing for the giving of individual subsidies. It is the scheme itself that must be assessed for its compliance with the subsidy control requirements, rather than the individual subsidies granted within the scheme. It is likewise the scheme that falls to be challenged in the CAT for failure to comply with the subsidy control requirements. Ultimately, it is not necessary to refer subsidies given under a scheme because they can be given only within the set parameters of that scheme, and the scheme itself is capable of being referred to the subsidy advice unit.

[The Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty’s Treasury (Michael Tomlinson)]

Very good.