Part III Other functions of the Commission and the Council
The Commission
I143 Duties in relation to social and environmental matters.
1
The Commission shall, in exercising its functions, have regard to any guidance given by the Secretary of State under this section.
2
The Secretary of State shall from time to time give guidance about the making by the Commission of a contribution towards the attainment of any social or environmental policies set out or referred to in the guidance.
3
Before giving any such guidance, the Secretary of State shall consult—
a
the Commission,
b
the Council,
c
any universal service provider,
d
any licence holder under Part II who is not a universal service provider, and
e
such other persons as the Secretary of State considers appropriate.
4
A draft of any guidance proposed to be given under this section shall be laid before each House of Parliament.
5
Guidance shall not be given under this section until after the period of 40 days starting with—
a
the day on which the draft is laid before each House of Parliament, or
b
if the draft is laid before the House of Lords on one day and the House of Commons on another day, the later of those two days.
6
If, before the end of that period, either House resolves that the guidance should not be given, the Secretary of State shall not give it.
7
In reckoning any period of 40 days for the purposes of subsection (5) or (6), no account shall be taken of any time during which—
a
Parliament is dissolved or prorogued, or
b
both Houses are adjourned for more than four days.
8
The Secretary of State shall publish any guidance given by him under this section in such manner as he considers appropriate.