Section 121 - Determination on reference under section 120
897.This section provides that in making a determination on the pricing methodology, the Competition Commission must have regard to the matters to which Monitor must have regard in carrying out those of its functions to which the determination relates.
898.In reaching its determination, the Commission must have regard to any representations made to it by relevant providers or commissioners who had objected to the methodology, under the procedure set out in paragraph 2 of Schedule 12. The Commission may also consider matters that Monitor was not able to take into account, provided the nature of them was such that Monitor would have been entitled to take them into account had it had the opportunity. This provision would enable the Commission to take account of new information that was not available to Monitor when it proposed the pricing methodology, but which was relevant.
899.If the Commission determines that Monitor has set the pricing methodology appropriately, Monitor can use that method.
900.The Commission could determine that Monitor had not set the pricing methodology appropriately only in the circumstances set out in subsection (4). Those circumstances are that Monitor has failed to have regard to matters relating to pricing methodology to which it is required to have regard; or that the decision is based on an error of fact or wrong in law. Where any of these apply, the Commission must refer the methodology back to Monitor for re-consideration, with the reasons for its decision. The Commission would be required to notify its determination to Monitor, the NHS Commissioning Board and those relevant providers or commissioners who made representations to it; and to publish it, excluding any commercial information that could damage an undertaking’s interests or information relating to the private affairs of an individual that could harm that person’s interests.
