After section 193 of the Communications Act 2003 (reference of price control matters) insert—

“193ARecovery of CMA's costs in respect of price control references

(1)

Where a determination is made on a price control matter referred by virtue of section 193, the CMA may make an order in respect of the costs incurred by it in connection with the reference (a “costs order”).

(2)

A costs order may require the payment to the CMA of some or all of those costs by such parties to the appeal which gave rise to the reference, other than OFCOM, as the CMA considers appropriate.

(3)

A costs order must—

(a)

set out the total costs incurred by the CMA in connection with the reference, and

(b)

specify the proportion of those costs to be paid by each party to the appeal in respect of whom the order is made.

(4)

In deciding on the proportion of costs to be paid by a party to the appeal the CMA must, in particular, consider—

(a)

the extent to which the determination on the reference upholds OFCOM's decision in relation to the price control matter in question,

(b)

the extent to which the costs were attributable to the involvement in the appeal of the party, and

(c)

the conduct of the party.

(5)

A costs order—

(a)

must be made as soon as reasonably practicable after the making of the determination on the reference, but

(b)

does not take effect unless the Tribunal, in deciding the appeal which gave rise to the reference, decides the price control matter which is the subject of the reference in accordance with the determination of the CMA (see section 193(6)).

(6)

In a case where the Tribunal decides the price control matter in question otherwise than as mentioned in subsection (5)(b), the CMA may make an order under this subsection in respect of the costs incurred by it in connection with the reference.

(7)

Subsections (2) to (4) apply in relation to an order under subsection (6) as they apply in relation to an order under subsection (1); but for that purpose the reference in subsection (4)(a) to the determination on the reference is to be read as a reference to the decision of the Tribunal mentioned in subsection (6).

(8)

An order under subsection (6) must be made as soon as reasonably practicable after the decision of the Tribunal mentioned in that subsection.

(9)

An amount payable to the CMA by virtue of an order made under this section is recoverable summarily as a civil debt (but this does not affect any other method of recovery).

(10)

The CMA must pay any sums it receives by virtue of this section into the Consolidated Fund.

(11)

The functions of the CMA under this section, other than those under subsections (9) and (10), are to be carried out on behalf of the CMA by the group constituted by the chair of the CMA in relation to the reference in question.”