24.—(1) If the Secretary of State considers that an action plan—
(a)submitted to him pursuant to regulation 19(1)(b), 19(3)(b) or 19(6);
(b)submitted to him pursuant to paragraph (5); or
(c)drawn up or revised by him,
meets the requirements of regulation 15, he may adopt the action plan.
(2) Paragraph (3) applies if—
(a)the Secretary of State considers that an action plan submitted to him pursuant to regulation 19(1)(b), 19(3)(b) or 19(6) does not meet the requirements of regulation 15; or
(b)an action plan is not adopted pursuant to paragraph (1).
(3) Where this paragraph applies the Secretary of State must—
(a)amend and adopt the plan; or
(b)reject the plan.
(4) If an action plan is rejected pursuant to paragraph (3)(b) the Secretary of State must notify the competent authority that submitted it of—
(a)the reasons why the plan was not adopted; and
(b)the date by which the plan must be revised and resubmitted.
(5) The recipient of a notification under paragraph (4) must submit the revised action plan to the Secretary of State by the date specified in the notification.
(6) Paragraphs (1) to (5) apply to a revised action plan as they apply to an action plan submitted pursuant to regulation 19(1)(b), 19(3)(b) or 19(6).
(7) If the Secretary of State amends—
(a)an action plan; or
(b)a revised action plan,
he must take such steps as he considers appropriate for ensuring that the action plan complies with the requirements of these Regulations.