31.— (1) Where upon consideration by the Authority of a draft of any proposed procedures submitted to it under section 30 for approval the Authority considers that it should refuse to approve the proposed procedures the Authority shall, by notice in writing, inform the provider concerned that it proposes to refuse to give its approval and state the reasons for the proposed refusal.

(2) The notice under subsection (1) shall state that the provider may submit observations in writing to the Authority in relation to the reasons for the proposed refusal set out in the notice not later than one month after the service of the notice on the provider.

(3) Where, after consideration of any observations submitted to the Authority under subsection (2), the Authority considers that it should refuse to approve the proposed procedures, it may do so by notice in writing addressed to the provider.

(4) A notice under subsection (3) shall state the reasons for the refusal referred to in that subsection.

(5) Where the Authority refuses to approve the proposed procedures of a provider, the provider concerned may appeal against that refusal to the Appeals Panel.