Citation and commencement

1. This Order may be cited as The Free Zone (Liverpool) Designation Order 1991 and shall come into force on 6th August 1991.

Designation of area as free zone

2. -�

(1) An area of 787 acres, in the County of Merseyside, consisting of 121 acres in the Metropolitan Borough of Wirral together with 666 acres in the Borough of Sefton, shown enclosed by a red line on maps (in this article referred to as "the maps"), entitled Docks Plan Sheet No. 10 and Freeport Docks Plan Sheet No. 11 respectively, being of a scale of 25 inches to a mile, and signed by a Collector of Customs and Excise, shall be a free zone.

(2) The maps shall be kept by the Commissioners at their Headquarters, New King's Beam House, 22 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PJ and copies thereof at the offices of the responsible authority.

(3) The maps or the copies thereof may, on application, be inspected by members of the public at reasonable hours without charge.

Appointment of responsible authority

3. The responsible authority for the free zone shall be The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company whose Head Office is at Pier Head, Liverpool.

Period of validity of Order

4. This Order shall have effect for a period of 10 years from the date of coming into force.

Conditions imposed on responsible authority

5. The responsible authority shall not permit the area designated by this Order to function as a free zone before the Commissioners are satisfied that the area is secure and have so notified the responsible authority in writing.

6. The responsible authority shall-�

(a)maintain an office in the free zone or at such other place as the Commissioners may allow at which shall be kept any records, for which the responsible authority is responsible, relating to the free zone and the business carried on therein;

(b)keep separate accounts in connection with the free zone;

(c)provide such information in connection with the free zone and the operation thereof to any person authorised by the Treasury, as that person may reasonably require;

(d)provide, free of expense to the Crown, such accommodation and facilities including furniture, fittings and equipment as the Commissioners may reasonably require and such accommodation and facilities shall be properly maintained, heated, lighted, ventilated and kept clean by the responsible authority;

(e)provide, free of expense to the Crown, such area of land within the free zone as the Commissioners may reasonably require for the examination of goods and vehicles and shall provide and maintain such appliances and afford such other facilities which are reasonably necessary to enable an account to be taken of any goods or make any examination or search;

(f)not permit a person to establish or carry on any trade or business in the free zone unless that person is authorised by the Commissioners to carry on such a trade or business in the free zone.

Health and safety

7. Without prejudice to the responsibilities of persons occupying premises within the free zone, the responsible authority shall ensure that the working conditions within the free zone are safe and without risk to the health and safety of persons employed by the Commissioners and shall comply with any requirements concerning health and safety imposed by any competent authority.

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order replaces the Free Zone (Liverpool) Designation Order 1984 (S.I. 1984 No. 1209) and Orders varying it. With effect from 6th August 1991, it designates an area of 787 acres at Liverpool as a free zone, appoints the responsible authority and imposes obligations upon that authority relating to the operation of the zone.