Communications Act 2003

403 Regulations and orders made by OFCOM

(1) This section applies to any power of OFCOM to make regulations or to make an order or scheme if that power is one to which this section is expressly applied.

(2) The powers to which this section applies shall be exercisable by statutory instrument, and the Statutory Instruments Act 1946 (c. 36) is to apply in relation to those powers as if OFCOM were a Minister of the Crown.

(3) Where an instrument made under a power to which this section applies falls to be laid before Parliament, OFCOM must, immediately after it is made, send it to the Secretary of State for laying by him.

(4) Before making any regulations or order under a power to which this section applies, OFCOM must—

(a) give a notice of their proposal to do so to such persons representative of the persons appearing to OFCOM to be likely to be affected by the implementation of the proposal as OFCOM think fit;

(b) publish notice of their proposal in such manner as they consider appropriate for bringing it to the attention of the persons who, in their opinion, are likely to be affected by it and are not given notice by virtue of paragraph (a); and

(c) consider any representations that are made to OFCOM, before the time specified in the notice.

(5) A notice for the purposes of subsection (4) must—

(a) state that OFCOM propose to make the regulations or order in question;

(b) set out the general effect of the regulations or order;

(c) specify an address from which a copy of the proposed regulations or order may be obtained; and

(d) specify a time before which any representations with respect to the proposal must be made to OFCOM.

(6) The time specified for the purposes of subsection (5)(d) must be no earlier than the end of the period of one month beginning with the day after the latest day on which the notice is given or published for the purposes of subsection (4).

(7) Every power of OFCOM to which this section applies includes power—

(a) to make different provision for different cases (including different provision in respect of different areas);

(b) to make provision subject to such exemptions and exceptions as OFCOM think fit; and

(c) to make such incidental, supplemental, consequential and transitional provision as OFCOM think fit.

(8) The Documentary Evidence Act 1868 (c. 37) (proof of orders and regulations etc.) shall have effect as if—

(a) OFCOM were included in the first column of the Schedule to that Act;

(b) OFCOM and persons authorised to act on their behalf were mentioned in the second column of that Schedule.