Commentary Part 1.Water Industry Chapter 4.Retail Exit: Non-Household Premises Section 50: General directions
196.Section 50 enables exit regulations to permit the Secretary of State to publish a statement from time to time with general directions for Ofwat and the CMA. The general directions would affect functions that could be used to secure that a relevant undertaker makes an exit application.
197.The regulations might require the Secretary of State, when drafting the statement, to have regard to Ofwat’s duties under section 2(1)(b) of the WIA, the general duties of the CMA, the protection of consumers and any other matters as the Secretary of State sees fit. The regulations might also require the Secretary of State, before publishing the statement, to consult and the statement is subject to a negative resolution procedure.