8.—(1) For the purposes of these Rules, the request for a direction comprises the written representations of the person making the request for a direction.
(2) The Scottish Ministers shall, as soon as practicable after receipt, send–
(a)a copy of any written representations made to them by the appointed representative to the other party; and
(b)copies of any written representations made to them by persons pursuant to rule 6(3)(b) to the parties.
(3) If either party makes any further representations, the Scottish Ministers shall, as soon as practicable after receipt, send a copy of the further representations to the other party.
(4) The Scottish Ministers may proceed to a decision on a request for a direction taking into account only such representations as have been submitted within the relevant time limits.
(5) In paragraph (4) “relevant time limits” means the time limits prescribed by rule 6(3)(c) and rule 7(1)(a) or, where the Scottish Ministers have exercised their power under rule 11, any later time limit.