66Agreements relating to approved inspection services

66 Agreements relating to approved inspection services

(1) The Secretary, on behalf of the Crown, may enter into an agreement with an approved inspection service under this section.

(2) An agreement must provide for—

(a) compliance by the inspection service with all relevant provisions of this Act or of any other Act or instrument of a legislative character;

(b) objectives and performance standards in relation to the provision of the services;

(c) the circumstances in which services may be provided;

(d) the fees, costs and charges to be paid for services provided by the inspection service;

(e) the submission of periodic reports in relation to the inspection service's operations under the agreement;

(f) an indemnity by the inspection service in favour of the Crown and the Secretary;

(g) the office the holder of which is to be the principal officer for the purposes of the application of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 to the inspection service;

(h) the office the holder of which is to be the principal officer for the purposes of the application of the Ombudsman Act 1973 to the inspection service;

(i) the termination of the agreement if the Secretary withdraws approval of the service;

(j) the prohibition of subcontracting of services.

(3) The Secretary and an approved inspection service may, by agreement, vary or terminate an agreement under this section.