177.1. Sections 176 and 177 do not apply except to a private establishment which on 1 February 1979 is already receiving amounts paid under a contract or an agreement made with the Minister for the purposes contemplated in those sections.
However, if the Minister considers that the requirements of the region so justify in the public interest, he may make a contract or an agreement contemplated in section 176 or 177 with a private establishment not contemplated in the first paragraph.