It shall be the duty of the Office of Rail and Road, so far as it appears to it practicable from time to time to do so—
to keep under review the provision, both in Great Britain and elsewhere, of railway services; and
to collect information with respect to the provision of those services, with a view to facilitating the exercise of its functions under this Part.
The Secretary of State may give general directions indicating—
considerations to which the Office of Rail and Road should have particular regard in determining the order of priority in which matters are to be brought under review in performing its duty under subsection (1)(a) or (b) above; and
considerations to which, in cases where it appears to the Office of Rail and Road that any of its functions under this Part are exercisable, it should have particular regard in determining whether to exercise those functions.
It shall be the duty of the Office of Rail and Road, where either it considers it expedient or it is requested by the Secretary of State or the CMA to do so, to give information, advice and assistance to the Secretary of State or the CMA with respect to any matter in respect of which any function of the Office of Rail and Road under this Part is exercisable.
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