Before issuing a code under section 40B, the Authority must—
The Authority must specify the period ("the consultation period") within which persons may make representations about the proposed code.
Before a code under section 40B prepared by the Authority is issued, the Minister may direct the Authority—
Subsection (3) is subject to subsections (6) and (7).
In subsection (3) "the Minister" means—
If the power under subsection (3) is exercised to give a direction in respect of such bulk supply agreements as are referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (5), it may not be exercised again in respect of such bulk supply agreements as are referred to in that paragraph.
If the power under subsection (3) to give a direction in respect of such bulk supply agreements as are referred to in paragraph (a), (b) or (c) of subsection (5) is not exercised on the first occasion on which it may be so exercised, it may not be exercised in respect of such bulk supply agreements as are referred to in that paragraph on a later occasion.
A direction under subsection (3) must be given within the period of 28 days beginning with the day after the end of the consultation period, and a code prepared by the Authority in relation to which a direction may be given may not be issued before that period of 28 days has expired.
In this section "the appropriate agency" means—
This section is subject to section 40D.