52.—(1) The Secretary of State may authorise any person to be a wildlife officer.
(2) A competent authority may authorise any person to be a wildlife officer, subject to and in accordance with the agreement of the Secretary of State.
(3) An authorisation under paragraph (1) or (2) must be in writing and may be subject to any conditions or limitations specified in it.
(4) Payments may be made by way of remuneration, allowances, expenses or otherwise—
(a)by the Secretary of State to any person authorised under paragraph (1);
(b)by a competent authority to any person authorised by it under paragraph (2).
(5) An agreement under paragraph (2) may be subject to conditions or limitations and may make provision for payment by the Secretary of State to reimburse the competent authority for the expenses it incurs in connection with and for the purposes of the agreement.