Airports Act 1986

References to Commission E+W+S

43 References to Commission in relation to imposition or modification of conditions. E+W+S

(1) Where the CAA is, by virtue of section 40(9), required to make a reference to the Commission under this subsection in respect of any airport, that reference shall be so framed as to require the Commission to investigate and report on—

(a) the question as to what are the maximum amounts that should be capable of being levied by the airport operator by way of airport charges at the airport during such period of five years as the CAA may specify in the reference; and

(b) the questions specified in subsection (2).

(2) Those questions are—

(a) whether the airport operator has, at any time during the relevant period, pursued—

(i) in relation to any airport charges levied by him at the airport, or

(ii) in relation to any operational activities carried on by him and relating to the airport, or

(iii) in relation to the granting of a right by virtue of which any operational activities relating to the airport may be carried on by any other person or persons,

a course of conduct which has operated or might be expected to operate against the public interest; and

(b) if so, whether the effects adverse to the public interest which that course of conduct has had, or might be expected to have, could be remedied or prevented by the imposition of any conditions in relation to the airport or by the modification of any conditions already in force in relation to it.

(3) Where the CAA is, by virtue of section 41(6), authorised to make a reference to the Commission under this subsection in respect of any airport, that reference shall be so framed as to require the Commission to investigate and report on the questions—

(a) whether the airport operator has, at any time during the relevant period, pursued the course of conduct referred to in the CAA’s notification under section 41(6); and

(b) if so, whether any such course of conduct has operated or might be expected to operate against the public interest; and

(c) if so, whether the effects adverse to the public interest which that course of conduct has had, or might be expected to have, could be remedied or prevented by the imposition of any conditions in relation to the airport or by the modification of any conditions already in force in relation to it.

(4) The CAA may, at any time, by notice given to the Commission vary any reference under subsection (3) by adding to the matters specified in the reference or by excluding from the reference some or all of the matters so specified; and on receiving such a notice the Commission shall give effect to the variation.

(5) In determining for the purposes of this section whether any particular matter has operated, or might be expected to operate, against the public interest, the Commission—

(a) shall have regard to the objectives specified in paragraphs (a) to (d) of section 39(2); and

(b) in the case of a matter relating to the granting of a right by virtue of which any operational activities relating to an airport may be carried on by any person or persons, shall in addition have regard to the following objective, namely the furtherance of the reasonable interests of persons granted such rights.

(6) In this section “the relevant period”—

(a) In relation to any reference in respect of an airport under subsection (1), means—

(i) in the case of the first reference in respect of that airport under that subsection, the period of twelve months ending with the date of the reference; and

(ii) in the case of any subsequent such reference, the period ending with the date of that reference and beginning with the date of the reference immediately preceding it; and

(b) in relation to any reference in respect of an airport under subsection (3), means the period of twelve months ending with the date of the reference.

44 Supplementary provisions relating to references. E+W+S

(1) For the purpose of assisting the Commission in carrying out an investigation on a reference under section 43, the CAA may—

(a) in the case of a reference under subsection (1) of that section, specify in the reference—

(i) any view that the CAA has formed as to what the maximum amounts referred to in paragraph (a) of that subsection should be,

(ii) any course of conduct which, in its opinion, has been pursued by the airport operator in relation to any of the matters specified in subsection (2)(a) of that section and has operated, or might be expected to operate, against the public interest,

(iii) any effects adverse to the public interest which, in its opinion, any such course of conduct has had or might be expected to have, and

(iv) any conditions or modifications of conditions by which, in its opinion, its view as to those maximum amounts could be implemented or (as the case may be) those adverse effects could be remedied or prevented;

(b) in the case of a reference under subsection (3) of that section, or a variation of such a reference, specify in the reference or variation—

(i) any effects adverse to the public interest which, in the opinion of the CAA, any course of conduct specified in the reference or variation has had or might be expected to have, and

(ii) any conditions or modifications of conditions by which, in its opinion, those adverse effects could be remedied or prevented.

(2) It shall be the duty of the CAA, for the purpose of assisting the Commission in carrying out an investigation on any reference under section 43, to give to the Commission—

(a) any information in the possession of the CAA which—

(i) it is within the power of the CAA to give, and

(ii) relates to matters falling within the scope of the investigation, and

(iii) either is requested by the Commission for that purpose or is information that it would in the CAA’s opinion be appropriate to give to the Commission for that purpose without any such request, and

(b) any other assistance which the Commission may require, and which it is within the power of the CAA to give, in relation to any such matters;

and the Commission shall, for the purpose of carrying out the investigation, take account of any information given to them in pursuance of paragraph (a)

F1 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F1 (3A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(4) The CAA shall—

(a) publish particulars of any reference under section 43, and of any variation of such a reference, in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing the reference or variation to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it; and

(b) send a copy of the reference or variation to the Secretary of State and to the airport operator concerned.

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 44(3)(3A) repealed (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 14(2); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

[F2 44A References under section 43: time limits E+W+S

(1) Every reference under section 43 shall specify a period (not longer than six months beginning with the date of the reference) within which a report on the reference is to be made.

(2) A report of the Commission on a reference under section 43 shall not have effect (and no action shall be taken in relation to it under section 46) unless the report is made before the end of the period specified in the reference or such further period (if any) as may be allowed by the CAA under subsection (3).

(3) The CAA may, if it has received representations on the subject from the Commission and is satisfied that there are special reasons why the report cannot be made within the period specified in the reference, extend that period by no more than six months.

(4) No more than one extension is possible under subsection (3) in relation to the same reference.

(5) The CAA shall, in the case of an extension made by it under subsection (3)—

(a) publish that extension in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing it to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it; and

(b) send a copy of what has been published by it under paragraph (a) to the airport operator concerned and the Secretary of State.

Textual Amendments

F2 Ss. 44A, 44B inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 14(3); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

44B References under section 43: powers of investigation E+W+S

(1) The following sections of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002 shall apply, with the modifications mentioned in subsections (2) and (3), for the purposes of references under section 43 as they apply for the purposes of references under that Part—

(a) section 109 (attendance of witnesses and production of documents etc.);

(b) section 110 (enforcement of powers under section 109: general);

(c) section 111 (penalties);

(d) section 112 (penalties: main procedural requirements);

(e) section 113 (payments and interest by instalments);

(f) section 114 (appeals in relation to penalties);

(g) section 115 (recovery of penalties); and

(h) section 116 (statement of policy).

(2) Section 110 shall, in its application by virtue of subsection (1), have effect as if—

(a) subsection (2) were omitted; and

(b) in subsection (9) the words from “or section” to “section 65(3))” were omitted.

(3) Section 111(5)(b)(ii) shall, in its application by virtue of subsection (1), have effect as if—

(a) for the words “published (or, in the case of a report under section 50 or 65, given)” there were substituted “made”;

(b) for the words “published (or given)”, in both places where they appear, there were substituted “made”; and

(c) the words “by this Part” were omitted.

(4) Provisions of Part 3 of the Enterprise Act 2002 which have effect for the purposes of sections 109 to 116 of that Act (including, in particular, provisions relating to offences and the making of orders) shall, for the purposes of the application of those sections by virtue of subsection (1), have effect in relation to those sections as applied by virtue of that subsection.

(5) Accordingly, corresponding provisions of this Act shall not have effect in relation to those sections as applied by virtue of that subsection.]

Textual Amendments

F2 Ss. 44A, 44B inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 14(3); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

45 Reports on references. E+W+S

(1) In making a report on any reference under section 43, the Commission—

(a) shall include in the report definite conclusions on the questions comprised in the reference together with such an account of their reasons for those conclusions as, in their opinion, is expedient for facilitating proper understanding of those questions and of their conclusions;

(b) where they conclude that any course of conduct specified in the reference has operated, or might be expected to operate, against the public interest, shall specify in the report the effects adverse to the public interest which that course of conduct has had or might be expected to have; and

(c) where they conclude that any adverse effects so specified could be remedied or prevented by the imposition of any conditions in relation to the airport in question, or by the modification of any conditions already in force in relation to it, shall specify in the report the conditions that should be imposed or (as the case may be) the modifications that should be made.

(2) The Commission’s conclusions on a reference under section 43(1) so far as relating to the maximum amounts referred to in paragraph (a) of that provision shall take the form of recommendations as to what those maximum amounts should be during the five years in question; and any such recommendations may do any of the things referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c) of section 40(5).

[F3 (2A) For the purposes of section 46(2), a conclusion contained in a report of the Commission is to be disregarded if the conclusion is not that of at least two-thirds of the members of the group constituted in connection with the reference concerned in pursuance of paragraph 15 of Schedule 7 to the Competition Act 1998.

(2B) If a member of a group so constituted disagrees with any conclusions contained in a report made on a reference under section 43 as the conclusions of the Commission, the report shall, if the member so wishes, include a statement of his disagreement and of his reasons for disagreeing.]

F4 (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F5 (4) For the purposes of the law relating to defamation, absolute privilege attaches to any report made by the Commission on a reference under section 43.

(4A) In making any report on a reference under section 43 the Commission must have regard to the following considerations before disclosing any information.

(4B) The first consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable) any information whose disclosure the Commission thinks is contrary to the public interest.

(4C) The second consideration is the need to exclude from disclosure (so far as practicable)—

(a) commercial information whose disclosure the Commission thinks might significantly harm the legitimate business interests of the undertaking to which it relates, or

(b) information relating to the private affairs of an individual whose disclosure the Commission thinks might significantly harm the individual’s interests.

(4D) The third consideration is the extent to which the disclosure of the information mentioned in subsection (4C)(a) or (b) is necessary for the purposes of the report.]

(5) A report of the Commission on any reference under section 43 shall be sent to the CAA.

(6) On receiving such a report, the CAA—

(a) shall send a copy of the report to the Secretary of State and to the airport operator concerned; and

(b) subject to any direction given by the Secretary of State under subsection (7), shall publish the report in such manner as the CAA considers appropriate for bringing the report to the attention of persons likely to be affected by it.

(7) If it appears to the Secretary of State that the publication of any matter in such a report would be against the public interest or the commercial interests of any person, he may, before the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which he receives the copy of the report, direct the CAA to exclude that matter from the report as published under subsection (6).

Textual Amendments

F3 S. 45(2A)(2B) inserted (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 14(4)(a); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

F4 S. 45(3) repealed (1.3.2000) by 1998 c. 41, s. 74(1)(3), Sch. 12 para. 7(3), Sch. 14 Pt. I (with s. 73); S.I. 2000/344, art. 2, Sch.

F5 S. 45(4)-(4D) substituted for s. 45(4) (20.6.2003) by Enterprise Act 2002 (c. 40), s. 279, Sch. 25 para. 14(4)(b); S.I. 2003/1397, art. 2(1), Sch. (with art. 8)

46 Imposition or modification of conditions following Commission’s report. E+W+S

(1) Where the CAA—

(a) is required to impose any such conditions as are mentioned in section 40(3), or to make any such modifications as are mentioned in section 40(4), in respect of any such maximum amounts as are there mentioned and

(b) has received a report made by the Commission under section 45 and containing their recommendations as to what those maximum amounts should be,

the CAA shall impose any such conditions in accordance with section 40(3) or make any such modifications in accordance with section 40(4) (as the case may be).

(2) Where the CAA has received a report of the Commission on a reference under section 43 and the report—

(a) includes conclusions to the effect that any course of conduct within the scope of the reference has operated or might be expected to operate against the public interest,

(b) specifies effects adverse to the public interest which that course of conduct has had or might be expected to have,

(c) includes conclusions to the effect that those effects could be remedied or prevented by the imposition of any conditions in relation to the airport in question or by the modification of any conditions already in force in relation to it, and

(d) specifies conditions or modifications by which those effects could be remedied or prevented,

the CAA shall, subject to subsection (3), impose such conditions, or make such modifications of any conditions already in force, in relation to the airport in question as the CAA considers appropriate for the purpose of remedying or preventing the adverse effects specified in the report.

(3) In the case of a report of the Commission on a reference under section 43(1), the Secretary of State may, if he thinks fit, direct that, notwithstanding that the report satisfies the requirements of paragraphs (a) to (d) of subsection (2) above, the CAA shall not impose any conditions or make any modifications as mentioned in that su bsection.

(4) Before imposing any conditions or making any modifications as mentioned in subsection (1) the CAA shall have regard to the recommendations referred to in paragraph (b) of that subsection; and before imposing any conditions or making any modifications as mentioned in subsection (2) the CAA shall have regard to the conditions or modifications referred to in paragraph (d) of that subsection.

(5) Where the CAA has imposed any conditions or made any modifications as mentioned in subsection (1) or (2), it shall publish the following matters, namely—

(a) particulars of the conditions or modifications in question, and

(b) in so far as those conditions or modifications do not accord with the recommendations referred to in subsection (1)(b), or (as the case may be) with the conditions or modifications referred to in subsection (2)(d), a statement of the CAA’s reasons for not implementing the Commission’s report,

in such manner as it considers appropriate for the purpose of bringing those matters to the attention of persons likely to be affected by them.

47 Charges to be paid by airport operators in respect of Commission’s expenses. E+W+S

(1) The Secretary of State may, in accordance with the following provisions of this section, provide by regulations for annual charges to be payable by airport operators in respect of the expenses incurred by the Commission in carrying out investigations, and reporting, on references to which this subsection applies.

(2) subsection (1) applies to any reference made to the Commission under section 43 other than a reference under subsection (1) of that section which relates to the first period of five years for which any such conditions as are mentioned in section 40(3) are to be in force in relation to a particular airport.

(3) Any such regulations as are mentioned in subsection (1) shall—

(a) require the Commission—

(i) to prepare, in such form and including such information as may be prescribed by the regulations, an annual statement containing an assessment of the expenses incurred by it as mentioned in subsection (1) in the preceding period of twelve months, and

(ii) to send a copy of any such statement to the CAA;

(b) prescribe the circumstances in which airport operators, being persons having the management of airports in respect of which permissions under this part are in force, are to be liable to charges under this section in respect of the expenses of the Commission specified in any such statement;

(c) provide that, where a particular airport operator is liable to such a charge, the amount of the charge payable by him shall (subject to paragraph (d)) be a proportion of the expenses referred to in paragraph (b) to be determined by reference to such matters or circumstances as may be specified in the regulations; and

(d) prescribe the maximum amount of any charge under this section.

(4) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (3)(b), any such regulations may provide for an airport operator falling within that provision to be liable to a charge under this section notwithstanding that none of the expenses there referred to relate to a reference made in respect of an airport managed by him.

(5) Where by virtue of any such regulations a charge under this section is payable by any airport operator, the CAA shall notify him he is required to pay that charge to the CAA; and where an airport operator has been so notified the amount of any such charge shall be recoverable from him as a debt due to the CAA.

(6) Any sums received by the CAA by virtue of this section shall be paid to the Secretary of State, who shall then pay them into the Consolidated Fund.