5(1)Except in a case where an application has been referred to the Secretary of State under paragraph 3 above and subject to sub-paragraph (3) below, the enforcing authority shall determine an application for an authorisation within the period of four months beginning with the day on which it received the application or within such longer period as may be agreed with the applicant.E+W+S
(2)If the enforcing authority fails to determine an application for an authorisation within the period allowed by or under this paragraph the application shall, if the applicant notifies the authority in writing that he treats the failure as such, be deemed to have been refused at the end of that period.
(3)The Secretary of State may, by order, substitute for the period for the time being specified in sub-paragraph (1) above such other period as he considers appropriate and different periods may be substituted for different classes of application.
Modifications etc. (not altering text)
C1Sch. 1 para. 5(1) modified (1.4.1991 for E.W. and 1.4.1992 for S.) by S.I. 1991/513, arts. 2(1) and 3(1)(3)(5)(6).