(1) The chief executive officer must refer the proposed variation to the committee without deciding it, whether the chief executive officer is acting under section 247 (1) (a) or (b) .
(2) However, if—(a) the chief executive officer is acting under section 247 (1) (b) ; and(b) the chief executive officer considers the application does not have enough merit to justify referring it to the committee;the chief executive officer may refuse to refer the application to the committee.
(3) This section is subject to sections 250 and 251 .