Electricity Act 1989

14 Modification following report. E+W+S

(1) Where a report of the [F1 Competition Commission] on a reference under section 12 above—

(a) includes conclusions to the effect that any of the matters specified in the reference operate, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest;

(b) specifies effects adverse to the public interest which those matters have or may be expected to have;

(c) includes conclusions to the effect that those effects could be remedied or prevented by modifications of [F2 the relevant conditions]; and

(d) specifies modifications by which those effects could be remedied or prevented,

the Director shall, subject to the following provisions of this section, make such modifications of [F2 the relevant conditions] as appear to him requisite for the purpose of remedying or preventing the adverse effects specified in the report.

[F3 (1A) Where at any time it modifies under subsection (1) the standard conditions of licences of any type in consequence of a reference under section 12(1A), the Authority may make such incidental and consequential modifications as it considers necessary or expedient of any conditions of licences of that type granted before that time.]

(2) Before making modifications under this section, the Director shall have regard to the modifications specified in the report.

(3) Before making modifications under this section, the Director shall give notice—

(a) stating that he proposes to make the modifications and setting out their effect;

(b) stating the reasons why he proposes to make the modifications; and

(c) specifying the period (not being less than 28 days from the date of publication of the notice) within which representations or objections with respect to the proposed modifications may be made,

and shall consider any representations or objections which are duly made and not withdrawn.

(4) A notice under subsection (3) above shall be given—

(a) by publishing the notice in such manner as the Director considers 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 modifications; and

(b) by serving a copy of the notice on the holder of the licence [F4 or, as the case may be, the relevant licence holders].

[F5 (5) After considering any representations or objections made in response to proposals set out in a notice under subsection (3), the Authority shall give notice to the Competition Commission—

(a) setting out the modifications it proposes to make to remedy or prevent the adverse effects specified in the report; and

(b) stating the reasons for making the modifications.

(6) The Authority shall include with the notice under subsection (5) a copy of any representations or objections received in relation to the notice under subsection (3).

(7) If the period of four weeks from the date on which the notice under subsection (5) is given elapses without a direction under section 14A(1)(a) having been given to it, the Authority shall—

(a) make the modifications set out in the notice; or

(b) if a direction under section 14A(1)(b) has been given, make the modifications which are not specified in the direction.

(8) The modification under subsection (1) of part of a standard condition of a particular licence in consequence of a reference under section 12(1) shall not prevent any other part of the condition from continuing to be regarded as a standard condition for the purposes of this Part.

(9) Where the Authority modifies the standard conditions of licences of any type as mentioned in subsection (1A), the Authority—

(a) shall also make (as nearly as may be) the same modifications of those conditions for the purposes of their incorporation in licences of that type granted after that time; and

(b) shall publish the modifications made for those purposes in such manner as it considers appropriate.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in S. 14(1) substituted (1.4.1999) by S.I. 1999/506, art. 24(b)

F2 Words in s. 14(1) substituted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 38(2); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)

F3 S. 14(1A) inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 38(3); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)

F4 Words in s. 14(4)(b) inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 38(4); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)

F5 S. 14(5)-(9) inserted (1.10.2001) by 2000 c. 27, s. 38(5); S.I. 2001/3266, art. 2, Sch. (subject to transitional provisions in arts. 3-20)