The Health Service Medicines (Price Control Appeals) Regulations 2000

Reply by the Secretary of State

13.—(1) The Secretary of State must send to the tribunal the documents required under this regulation and regulation 14 (“the reply”) so that they are received not later than the end of the period of 28 days beginning with the first date on which it has received the copies of the notice of appeal and of the additional material.

(2) The reply must–

(a) acknowledge that the Secretary of State has received the notice of appeal and the additional material,

(b) indicate whether the Secretary of State seeks to uphold the enforcement decision, and

(c) give the information required under paragraph (3).

(3) The following information is required under this paragraph–

(a) the Secretary of State’s address;

(b) the name, address and profession of the person (if any) representing the Secretary of State and whether the tribunal should send documents concerning the appeal to the representative rather than to the Secretary of State;

(c) if in the opinion of the Secretary of State any other person has a direct interest in the subject matter of the appeal, the name and address of such other person.

(4) The tribunal may extend the time limit imposed by paragraph (1), but must not do so unless it is satisfied–

(a) that the circumstances are such that it would not be reasonable to expect the Secretary of State to comply with the time limit, and

(b) that it is necessary to extend the time limit in order to avoid a significant risk of harm to any person.

(5) On receiving the reply, the tribunal must without delay send a copy to the appellant.