(1)The Commission may undertake or promote comparative or other studies designed to enable it to make recommendations—
(a)for improving economy, efficiency and effectiveness in any activity mentioned in subsection (2),
(b)for improving the management, other than the financial management, of an English NHS body, or
(c)for improving the management of an English local authority in its provision of adult social services.
(2)Those activities are—
(a)the provision of health care by an English NHS provider,
(b)the making of arrangements by a Primary Care Trust for the provision of health care,
(c)the provision of adult social services by an English local authority, and
(d)the making of arrangements by an English local authority for the provision of adult social services.
(3)The Commission may also undertake or promote studies designed to enable it to prepare reports as to the impact of—
(a)the operation of any particular statutory provisions, or
(b)any directions or guidance given by a Minister of the Crown (whether pursuant to any such provisions or otherwise),
on economy, efficiency and effectiveness in an activity mentioned in subsection (2)(c) or (d).
(4)The Commission must undertake or promote a study falling within subsection (1) or (3) if the Secretary of State so requests.
(5)The reference in subsection (1) to an English NHS body does not include a reference to a Special Health Authority.