HC Deb 10 May 2000 vol 349 c928

Amendment made: No. 256, in page 106, line 4, leave out— 'that Act, after section 26'

and insert— 'section 26 of that Act (invitations to tender for franchise), after subsection (3) insert (4) The directions which may be given under subsection (1) above (at any time when the Secretary of State considers it inappropriate that the person who is to be the franchisee under a franchise agreement should be selected after an invitation to tender) include—

  1. (a) a direction that that person is to be the person specified in the direction; and
  2. (b) a direction requiring the Authority to select that person in such manner as is so specified,
(as well as a direction authorising the Authority to select that person in such other manner as it may consider appropriate). (5) The Secretary of State shall prepare and publish a statement of policy with respect to directions under subsection (1) above. (6) The statement shall (in particular) contain the Secretary of State's policy about—
  1. (a) when he will consider giving a direction (including, in particular, when he will consider doing so in relation to a franchise agreement which is to replace an earlier franchise agreement before the end of its franchise term); and
  2. (b) the sorts of direction which he will consider giving in particular circumstances.
 (7) In deciding whether to give a direction, and (if so) what direction to give, the Secretary of State shall have regard to the statement of policy. (8) The Secretary of State—
  1. (a) may at any time alter or replace a statement of policy, and
  2. (b) shall publish the altered or replacement statement.
 (9) The Secretary of State shall undertake appropriate consultation when preparing, altering or replacing a statement of policy. (10) When a statement of policy is prepared, altered or replaced, a copy of the statement shall be laid before each House of Parliament. ( ) After that section'.—[Mr. Robert Ainsworth.]

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