(1)The Secretary of State may direct the Commission to examine any question relating to prices or charges which is specified in the direction and to make a report to him upon the result of the examination before a date so specified ; and where the Secretary of State proposes to give a direction in pursuance of this subsection it shall be his duty, before deciding whether to give the direction, to consult the Commission and the Director General of Fair Trading about the proposal.
(2)Such a question as is mentioned in the preceding subsection may, except as provided by this subsection, be framed in any way whatsoever and may in particular, without prejudice to the generality of the preceding provisions of this subsection, refer to a specified area, specified descriptions of goods or services, profits, costs, efficiency, reductions in quality without reductions in prices or charges, plans for activities or the use of resources; but such a question must not relate to one person only unless in the opinion of the Secretary of State he is the only person in the United Kingdom who supplies the goods or services to which the question relates in the capacity (whether as manufacturer, wholesaler, retailer, importer or otherwise) in which he supplies them.
(3)The Secretary of State may at any time vary or cancel a direction given by him in pursuance of subsection (1) of this section.
(4)When the Secretary of State gives, varies or cancels such a direction it shall be his duty to publish the direction or particulars of the variation or notice of the cancellation, as the case may be, in such manner as he thinks fit.