PART 7Suspension
Period of suspensionI141
1
The period of suspension referred to in regulation 39(1) must not exceed nine months commencing on the day after the publication of the public notice under section 13 of the Act giving effect to the suspension.
2
Following an application by an interested party, or where the TRA otherwise considers that it is appropriate, the TRA may recommend to the Secretary of State that the period of nine months referred to in paragraph (1) be extended to a maximum of 21 months (“extended period of suspension”).
3
Where the TRA makes a recommendation in accordance with paragraph (2), but the duration of the extended period of suspension recommended is less than 21 months, the TRA may make a further recommendation to the Secretary of State to increase the duration of the extended period of suspension where it considers it is appropriate to do so, provided that the overall duration of the extended period of suspension does not exceed 21 months.
4
Where the TRA rejects an application for an extension of the period of suspension, the TRA must notify the applicant.
5
Where the TRA considers that it is not appropriate to make a recommendation to extend the period of suspension, it must—
a
publish a notice of its determination and the reasons for it; and
b
notify the Secretary of State and interested parties.
6
Where the TRA considers that it is appropriate to make a recommendation to extend the period of suspension, the recommendation must include—
a
the reasons for its recommendation;
b
the recommended extended period of suspension, which must begin on the day after the date of publication of the public notice under section 13 of the Act giving effect to the recommendation; and
c
any other information the TRA considers relevant.
7
If the TRA makes a recommendation in accordance with this regulation, the Secretary of State must decide whether to F1—
a
accept or reject the recommendation; or
b
request that the TRA reassess its recommendation, by reference to any matters specified in the request, with a view to amending or replacing the recommendation.
8
The Secretary of State may only reject a recommendation where the Secretary of State considers that it is not in the public interest to accept the recommendation.
F28A
Paragraph (8B) applies if the recommendation is rejected.
8B
If the Secretary of State considers that it is in the public interest to do so, the Secretary of State may decide to vary the recommended extended period of suspension, subject to paragraph (8C).
8C
Where the Secretary of State decides to vary the extended period of suspension—
a
the overall duration of the extended period of suspension must not exceed 21 months; and
b
the extended period of suspension must begin on the day after the date of publication of the public notice under section 13 of the Act giving effect to the decision.
8D
Where the Secretary of State makes a decision under paragraph (8B) the Secretary of State must lay a statement before the House of Commons setting out the reasons for making the decision.
9
Where the Secretary of State rejects a recommendation F4and does not make a decision under paragraph (8B), the Secretary of State must—
a
publish a notice containing the information referred to in paragraph 14 of the Schedule;
b
notify interested parties; and
c
lay a statement before the House of Commons setting out the reasons for rejecting the recommendation.
F310
The Secretary of State may only make a request under paragraph (7)(b) where the Secretary of State considers that—
a
there is information that the TRA did not take into account in its recommendation that is relevant to the recommendation;
b
the TRA made an error in relation to its recommendation; or
c
exceptional circumstances make the request appropriate.
11
Before making a request under paragraph (7)(b), the Secretary of State must consult the TRA.
12
Where the Secretary of State makes a request under paragraph (7)(b), the TRA must—
a
comply with the request; and
b
in reassessing its recommendation, have regard to any particular considerations which the Secretary of State may specify in the request.