61Determination of applications
(1)The Authority may grant an application made under section 60 only if it is satisfied that the person in respect of whom the application is made (“the candidate”) is a fit and proper person to perform the function to which the application relates.
(2)In deciding that question, the Authority may have regard (among other things) to whether the candidate, or any person who may perform a function on his behalf—
(a)has obtained a qualification,
(b)has undergone, or is undergoing, training, or
(c)possesses a level of competence,
required by general rules in relation to persons performing functions of the kind to which the application relates.
(3)The Authority must, before the end of the period of three months beginning with the date on which it receives an application made under section 60 (“the period for consideration”), determine whether—
(a)to grant the application; or
(b)to give a warning notice under section 62(2).
(4)If the Authority imposes a requirement under section 60(3), the period for consideration stops running on the day on which the requirement is imposed but starts running again—
(a)on the day on which the required information is received by the Authority; or
(b)if the information is not provided on a single day, on the last of the days on which it is received by the Authority.
(5)A person who makes an application under section 60 may withdraw his application by giving written notice to the Authority at any time before the Authority determines it, but only with the consent of—
(a)the candidate; and
(b)the person by whom the candidate is to be retained to perform the function concerned, if not the applicant.