13SAfter paragraph 10 there is inserted—
10A(1)The Commission shall, in respect of each 4 year period, lay before the Parliament a plan (referred to in this section as a “strategic plan”) setting out how the Commission proposes to exercise the Commission's functions during the 4 year period.
(2)A strategic plan shall, in particular, set out—
(a)the Commission's objectives and priorities during the 4 year period;
(b)how the Commission proposes to achieve them;
(c)a timetable for doing so; and
(d)estimates of the costs of doing so.
(3)Before laying a strategic plan before the Parliament, the Commission shall provide a draft of it to and invite, and (if any are given) consider, comments on it from—
(a)the Parliamentary corporation; and
(b)such other persons as the Commission thinks appropriate.
(4)The reference in sub-paragraph (3)(b) to other persons includes a committee of the Parliament.
(5)The Commission shall lay each strategic plan before the Parliament not later than the beginning of the 4 year period to which the plan relates.
(6)The Commission shall arrange for the publication of each strategic plan laid before the Parliament.
(7)The Commission may, at any time during a 4 year period, review the strategic plan for the period and lay a revised strategic plan before the Parliament.
(8)Sub-paragraphs (2) to (7) apply to a revised strategic plan as they apply to a strategic plan.
(9)In that application, the reference in sub-paragraph (5) to the 4 year period is a reference to the period to which the revised strategic plan relates.
(10)In this section, “4 year period” means the period of 4 years beginning on 1 April next following the coming into force of this paragraph and each subsequent period of 4 years.”