PART 6Enforcement

Guidance

161Approval of first guidance about regulatory action

1

When the first guidance is produced under section 160(1)—

a

the Commissioner must submit the final version to the Secretary of State, and

b

the Secretary of State must lay the guidance before Parliament.

2

If, within the 40-day period, either House of Parliament resolves not to approve the guidance—

a

the Commissioner must not issue the guidance, and

b

the Commissioner must produce another version of the guidance (and this section applies to that version).

3

If, within the 40-day period, no such resolution is made—

a

the Commissioner must issue the guidance, and

b

the guidance comes into force at the end of the period of 21 days beginning with the day on which it is issued.

4

Nothing in subsection (2)(a) prevents another version of the guidance being laid before Parliament.

5

In this section, “the 40-day period” means—

a

if the guidance is laid before both Houses of Parliament on the same day, the period of 40 days beginning with that day, or

b

if the guidance is laid before the Houses of Parliament on different days, the period of 40 days beginning with the later of those days.

6

In calculating the 40-day period, no account is to be taken of any period during which Parliament is dissolved or prorogued or during which both Houses of Parliament are adjourned for more than 4 days.