HC Deb 10 May 2000 vol 349 cc955-6

14.—(1) if the Competition Commission give a direction under paragraph 13 above, they may themselves make such relevant changes as appear to them requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing—

  1. (a) the adverse effects specified in their report on the reference under paragraph 9 above; or
  2. (b) such of those adverse effects as would not be remedied or prevented by the relevant changes made by the Regulator under paragraph 12(8) above.

(2) In exercising the function conferred by sub-paragraph (1) above, the Competition Commission shall have regard to the matters as respects which duties are imposed on the Regulator by section 4 of this Act.

(3) Before making relevant changes under this paragraph, the Competition Commission shall give notice—

  1. (a) stating that they propose to make the relevant changes and setting out their effect,
  2. (b) stating the reasons why they propose to make the relevant changes,
  3. (c) stating, in relation to each of the proposed relevant changes, the date on which they propose that it should come into operation, and
  4. (d) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections may be made,
and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(4) A date stated in a notice under sub-paragraph (3) above as that on which a relevant change should come into operation may be a date before the notice is given, provided that it is not before the earliest date specified in the review notice for the coming into operation of a relevant change proposed in it.

(5) A notice under sub-paragraph (3) above shall be given—

  1. (a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Competition Commission consider appropriate for the purpose of bringing the matters to which the notice relates to the attention of persons likely to be affected by the making of the relevant changes; and
  2. (b) by serving a copy of the notice on the persons on whom a copy of the review notice was served.

(5) As soon as practicable after making any relevant changes under this paragraph, the Competition Commission shall send a copy of those relevant changes to the Regulator, the Authority and the Health and Safety Executive.