3.—(1) In this Act “suspending authority” means, in relation to a civil servant, each of the following—

(a) the appropriate authority in relation to that civil servant,

(b) a person who, by virtue of subsection (2) of this section, is for the time being a suspending authority in relation to that civil servant.

(2) The appropriate authority in relation to civil servants of a particular class (defined by reference to such matters as that appropriate authority thinks fit) may from time to time nominate a person holding a position in the Civil Service to be a suspending authority in relation to civil servants of that class, and any person so nominated shall, so long as the nomination remains in force, be a suspending authority in relation to a civil servant of that class.

(3) A nomination under subsection (2) of this section of a person to be a suspending authority may be by his name or by reference to his official position or by reference to him as one of a class of persons holding official positions of the same description as that held by him.

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(5) The appropriate authority may, when making a nomination under subsection (2) of this section, attach to it such limitations and conditions as that appropriate authority thinks fit.

(6) The appropriate authority may at any time withdraw a nomination under subsection (2) of this section, but such withdrawal shall not affect any thing done, by virtue of the nomination, under this Act.