Welsh Development Agency Act 1975

1[F1Welsh development]F1.U.K.

[F2(1)The functions specified in the following provisions of this Act are conferred upon the National Assembly for Wales (in this Act referred to as the “Assembly”).]

F2(2)The purposes for which the [F3Assembly]F3 may exercise [F4its]F4 functions [F5under this Act]F5 are—

(a)to further the economic [F6and social] development of Wales or any part of Wales [F7, and in that connection to provide, maintain or safeguard employment];

(b)to promote [F8efficiency in business] and international competitiveness in Wales;

(c). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F9

(d)to further the improvement of the environment in Wales (having regard to existing amenity).

(3)Without prejudice to the following provisions of this Act, the functions of the [F3Assembly]F3[F10under this Act]F10 shall be—

(a)to promote Wales as a location [F11for businesses], or assist or concert its promotion as such a location;

(b)to provide finance for persons carrying on or intending to carry on [F12businesses];

(c)to carry on industrial undertakings and to establish and carry on new [F12businesses];

(d)otherwise to promote or assist the establishment, growth . . . F13, modernisation or development of [F14businesses, or a particular business or particular businesses];

[F15(da)to make land available for development;]

(e). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . F16

(f)to provide sites, premises, services and facilities for [F12businesses];

(g)to manage sites and premises for [F12businesses];

(h)to bring derelict land into use or improve its appearance; . . . F17

(i)to undertake the development and redevelopment of the environment.

[F18(j)to promote the private ownership of interests in [F12businesses] by the disposal of securities and other property held by the [F3Assembly]F3 or any of [F4its]F4 subsidiaries.]

(4)In exercising [F4its]F4 functions [F5under this Act]F5 the [F3Assembly]F3 shall have regard to the requirements of agriculture and efficient land management.

(5)The [F3Assembly]F3 may only exercise functions under subsection (3)(c) above through subsidiaries.

(6)The [F3Assembly]F3 shall have power to do anything, whether in Wales or elsewhere, which is calculated to facilitate the discharge of [F4its]F4 functions specified in subsection (3) above, or is incidental or conducive to their discharge.

(7)In particular, but without prejudice to the generality of subsection (6) above, the [F3Assembly]F3 shall have power [F19in connection with its functions under this Act]F19—

(a)to acquire, hold and dispose of securities;

(b)to form bodies corporate;

(c)to form partnerships with other persons;

(d)to make loans;

(e)to guarantee obligations (arising out of loans or otherwise) incurred by other persons;

(f)to make grants;

(g)to act as agent for other persons;

(h)to acquire and dispose of land, plant, machinery and equipment and other property;

(i)to manage land, and to develop land and carry out works on land, and to maintain works or assist in their maintenance;

(k)to make land, plant, machinery and equipment and other property available for use by other persons;

(l)to provide advisory or other services or facilities in relation to any of [F4its]F4 functions, or assist in [F4its]F4 provision; and

(m)to promote or assist in the promotion of publicity relating to any of the functions of the [F3Assembly]F3[F20under this Act]F20.

(8)F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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(10)F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(11)F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(12)F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(13)F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F22(14)The Assembly shall, after consultation with such local authorities, National Park authorities and other bodies as appear to the Assembly to have an interest, from time to time prepare and publish programmes for the performance of such of its functions under this Act as it considers appropriate.]

F22(15)F21. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(16)For the avoidance of doubt it is hereby declared that nothing in this Act is to be construed as authorising the disregard by the [F3Assembly]F3 of any enactment or rule of law.