Financial Services and Markets Bill

House of Commons

Session 1999-2000
Internet Publications
Other Bills before Parliament
Arrangement of Clauses (Contents)

Financial Services and Markets Bill

A
B I L L
[AS AMENDED IN STANDING COMMITTEE A]
TO
Make provision about the regulation of financial services and markets; to provide for the transfer of certain statutory functions relating to building societies, friendly societies, industrial and provident societies and certain other mutual societies; and for connected purposes.
BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-

PART I

THE REGULATOR

The Financial Services Authority.     1. - (1) The body corporate known as the Financial Services Authority ("the Authority") is to have the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.

    (2) The Authority must comply with the requirements as to its constitution set out in Schedule 1.

    (3) Schedule 1 also makes provision about the status of the Authority and the exercise of certain of its functions.

The Authority's general duties

The Authority's general duties.     2. - (1) In discharging its general functions the Authority must, so far as is reasonably possible, act in a way-

(a) which is compatible with the regulatory objectives; and

(b) which the Authority considers most appropriate for the purpose of meeting those objectives.

    (2) The regulatory objectives are-

(a) market confidence;

(b) public awareness;

(c) the protection of consumers; and

(d) the reduction of financial crime.

    (3) In discharging its general functions the Authority must have regard to-

(a) the need to use its resources in the most efficient and economic way;

(b) the responsibilities of those who manage the affairs of authorised persons;

(c) the principle that a burden or restriction which is imposed on a person, or on the carrying on of an activity, should be proportionate to the benefits, considered in general terms, which are expected to result from the imposition of that burden or restriction;

(d) the desirability of facilitating innovation in connection with regulated activities;

(e) the international character of financial services and markets and the desirability of maintaining the competitive position of the United Kingdom;

(f) the principle that competition between authorised persons should not be impeded or distorted unnecessarily.

    (4) The Authority's general functions are-

(a) its function of making rules under this Act (considered as a whole);

(b) its function of preparing and issuing codes under this Act (considered as a whole);

(c) its functions in relation to the giving of advice and guidance (considered as a whole); and

(d) its function of determining the general policy and principles by reference to which it performs particular functions.

The regulatory objectives

Market confidence.     3. - (1) The market confidence objective is: maintaining confidence in the financial system.

    (2) "The financial system" means the financial system operating in the United Kingdom and includes-

(a) financial markets and exchanges;

(b) regulated activities; and

(c) other activities connected with financial markets and exchanges.

Public awareness.     4. - (1) The public awareness objective is: promoting public understanding of the financial system.

    (2) It includes, in particular-

(a) promoting awareness of the benefits and risks associated with different kinds of investment or other financial dealing; and

(b) the provision of appropriate information and advice.

    (3) "The financial system" has the same meaning as in section 3.

© Parliamentary copyright 1999
Prepared 14 December 1999

Financial Services and Markets Bill

	A B I L L [AS AMENDED IN STANDING COMMITTEE A] TO Make provision about the regulation of financial services and markets; to provide for the transfer of certain statutory functions relating to building societies, friendly societies, industrial and provident societies and certain other mutual societies; and for connected purposes. BE IT ENACTED by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:-
	PART I
	THE REGULATOR
The Financial Services Authority.	1. - (1) The body corporate known as the Financial Services Authority ("the Authority") is to have the functions conferred on it by or under this Act.
	(2) The Authority must comply with the requirements as to its constitution set out in Schedule 1.
	(3) Schedule 1 also makes provision about the status of the Authority and the exercise of certain of its functions.
	The Authority's general duties
The Authority's general duties.	2. - (1) In discharging its general functions the Authority must, so far as is reasonably possible, act in a way-
	(a) which is compatible with the regulatory objectives; and
	(b) which the Authority considers most appropriate for the purpose of meeting those objectives.
	(2) The regulatory objectives are-
	(a) market confidence;
	(b) public awareness;
	(c) the protection of consumers; and
	(d) the reduction of financial crime.
	(3) In discharging its general functions the Authority must have regard to-
	(a) the need to use its resources in the most efficient and economic way;
	(b) the responsibilities of those who manage the affairs of authorised persons;
	(c) the principle that a burden or restriction which is imposed on a person, or on the carrying on of an activity, should be proportionate to the benefits, considered in general terms, which are expected to result from the imposition of that burden or restriction;
	(d) the desirability of facilitating innovation in connection with regulated activities;
	(e) the international character of financial services and markets and the desirability of maintaining the competitive position of the United Kingdom;
	(f) the principle that competition between authorised persons should not be impeded or distorted unnecessarily.
	(4) The Authority's general functions are-
	(a) its function of making rules under this Act (considered as a whole);
	(b) its function of preparing and issuing codes under this Act (considered as a whole);
	(c) its functions in relation to the giving of advice and guidance (considered as a whole); and
	(d) its function of determining the general policy and principles by reference to which it performs particular functions.
	The regulatory objectives
Market confidence.	3. - (1) The market confidence objective is: maintaining confidence in the financial system.
	(2) "The financial system" means the financial system operating in the United Kingdom and includes-
	(a) financial markets and exchanges;
	(b) regulated activities; and
	(c) other activities connected with financial markets and exchanges.
Public awareness.	4. - (1) The public awareness objective is: promoting public understanding of the financial system.
	(2) It includes, in particular-
	(a) promoting awareness of the benefits and risks associated with different kinds of investment or other financial dealing; and
	(b) the provision of appropriate information and advice.
	(3) "The financial system" has the same meaning as in section 3.