Investigation of complaints
Investigation of enforcement matters
25.—(1) Subject to paragraph (2), it shall be the duty of the Director to investigate any matter which appears to him to be an enforcement matter and which—
(a)is the subject of a representation (other than one appearing to the Director to be frivolous) made to the Director by or on behalf of a person appearing to the Director to have an interest in that matter; or
(b)is referred to him by the General Consumer Council under paragraph (3).
(2) The Director may, if he thinks fit, require the General Consumer Council to investigate and report to him on any matter falling within paragraph (1).
(3) It shall be the duty of the General Consumer Council to refer to the Director any matter which—
(a)appears to the Council to be an enforcement matter; and
(b)is the subject of a representation (other than one appearing to the Council to be frivolous) made to the Council by or on behalf of a person appearing to the Council to have an interest in the matter.
(4) In this Article and Article 26 “enforcement matter” means any matter in respect of which any functions of the Director under Article 19 are or may be exercisable.
Investigation of certain other matters
26.—(1) It shall be, the duty of the General Consumer Council to investigate any matter which appears to the Council to be a relevant matter and which—
(a)is the subject of a representation (other than one appearing to the Council to be frivolous) made to the Council by or on behalf of a person (other than the holder of a licence or exemption) appearing to the Council to have an interest in that matter; or
(b)is referred to the Council by the Director under paragraph (2).
(2) Subject to paragraph (3), it shall be the duty of the Director to refer to the General Consumer Council any matter which—
(a)appears to the Director to be a relevant matter; and
(b)is the subject of a representation (other than one appearing to the Director to be frivolous) made to the Director by or on behalf of a person (other than the holder of a licence or exemption) appearing to the Director to have an interest in that matter.
(3) Nothing in paragraph (2) shall require the Director to refer to the General Consumer Council any matter in respect of which he is considering exercising functions under this Part.
(4) Where on an investigation under paragraph (1) any matter appears to the General Consumer Council to be a matter in respect of which it would be appropriate for the Director to exercise any functions under this Part, the Council shall refer that matter to the Director with a view to his exercising those functions with respect to that matter.
(5) In this Article “relevant matter”, in relation to the General Consumer Council, means any matter (other than an enforcement matter)—
(a)in respect of which any functions of the Director under this Part are or may be exercisable; and
(b)which relates to the holder of a licence or exemption.