Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill (HL Bill 45)

consequence of the giving of a merger notice under section 96 if it is
considering whether to make a reference under section 22 or 33 in
relation to—

(a) arrangements of which notice is given in the merger notice or
5arrangements which do not differ from them in any material
respect, or

(b) the creation of any relevant merger situation which is, or may
be, created in consequence of carrying such arrangements
into effect.

(5) 10Nothing in this section applies where section 34A(2) or 46A(2)
applies (duties where case referred by the European Commission).

34ZB Extension of time-limits

(1) The CMA may extend the initial period mentioned in section
34ZA(1) if it considers that a relevant person has failed (with or
15without a reasonable excuse) to comply with any requirement of a
notice under section 109 in relation to the case in question.

(2) In subsection (1), “relevant person” means—

(a) any person carrying on any of the enterprises concerned;

(b) any person who (whether alone or as a member of a group)
20owns or has control of any such person; or

(c) any officer, employee or agent of any person mentioned in
paragraph (a) or (b).

(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), a person or group of persons able,
directly or indirectly, to control or materially to influence the policy
25of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate, but without having
a controlling interest in that body of persons, may be treated as
having control of it.

(4) Where an intervention notice is in force in relation to the matter
concerned, the CMA may extend the initial period by no more than
3020 working days.

(5) The CMA may by notice extend the initial period if the European
Commission is considering a request made, in relation to the matter
concerned, by the United Kingdom (whether alone or with others)
under article 22(1) of the EC Merger Regulation (but is not yet
35proceeding with the matter in pursuance of such a request).

(6) An extension under subsection (1) or (4) comes into force when
published under section 107.

(7) An extension under subsection (1) continues in force until—

(a) the person concerned provides the information or documents
40to the satisfaction of the CMA or (as the case may be) appears
as a witness in accordance with the requirements of the CMA;
or

(b) the CMA publishes its decision to cancel the extension.

(8) An extension under subsection (5) shall be for the period which—

(a) 45begins when notice is given under that subsection, and

(b) ends when the CMA gives notice of the completion by the
European Commission of its consideration of the request of
the United Kingdom.

(9) In this section, “working day” has the same meaning as in section
534ZA.

34ZC Sections 34ZA and 34ZB: supplementary

(1) An extension of the period mentioned in section 34ZA(1) may be
made under each of subsections (1), (4) or (5) of section 34ZB.

(2) No more than one extension is possible under section 34ZA(4).

(3) 10Where a period is extended or further extended under section
34ZB(1), (4) or (5), the period as extended or (as the case may be)
further extended shall, subject to subsections (4) and (5), be
calculated by taking the period being extended and adding to it the
period of the extension (whether or not those periods overlap in
15time).

(4) Subsection (5) applies where—

(a) the period mentioned in section 34ZA(1) is further extended;

(b) the further extension and at least one previous extension is
made under one or more of subsections (1) and (5) of section
2034ZB; and

(c) the same days or fractions of days are included in or comprise
the further extension and are included in or comprise at least
one such previous extension.

(5) In calculating the period of the further extension, any days or
25fractions of days of the kind mentioned in subsection (4)(c) are to be
disregarded.

(6) The Secretary of State may by order do either or both of the
following—

(a) amend section 34ZA so as to alter the period of 40 working
30days mentioned in subsection (3) of that section or any period
for the time being mentioned in that subsection in
substitution for that period;

(b) amend section 34ZB so as to alter the period of 20 working
days mentioned in subsection (4) of that section or any period
35for the time being mentioned in that subsection in
substitution for that period.

(7) But no alteration may be made by virtue of subsection (6) which
results in—

(a) the period for the time being mentioned in section 34ZA(3)
40exceeding 40 working days; or

(b) the period for the time being mentioned in section 34ZB(4)
exceeding 20 working days.

(8) Before making an order under subsection (6), the Secretary of State
shall consult the CMA and such other persons as the Secretary of
45State considers appropriate.

(9) In this section, “working day” has the same meaning as in section
34ZA.”

5 (1) Section 39 (time-limits for investigations and reports) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (5) for “subsection (4)” substitute “this section”.

(3) After subsection (8) insert—

“(8A) In the case of a report on a reference under section 33, the CMA may
5provide that a specified period of no more than 3 weeks is to be
disregarded for the purposes of any time-limit for the preparation
and publication of the report which applies by virtue of this section
if—

(a) a relevant person has so requested before the end of the
10period of 3 weeks beginning with the date of the reference
concerned; and

(b) the CMA reasonably believes that the arrangements in
question might be abandoned.

(8B) If the CMA exercises the power under subsection (8A), the CMA
15shall publish a notice to that effect.”

6 After section 41 (duty to remedy effects of completed or anticipated
mergers) insert—

“41A Time-limit for discharging duty under section 41

(1) The CMA shall discharge its duty under section 41(2) within the
20period of 12 weeks beginning with the date on which it publishes the
report concerned under section 38.

(2) The CMA may extend, by no more than 6 weeks, the period within
which its duty under section 41(2) shall be discharged if it considers
that there are special reasons for doing so.

(3) 25The CMA may extend the period within which its duty under section
41(2) shall be discharged if it considers that a relevant person has
failed (whether with or without reasonable excuse) to comply with
any requirement of a notice under section 109 which is given in
relation to the reference.

(4) 30In subsection (3), “relevant person” means—

(a) any person carrying on any of the enterprises concerned;

(b) any person who (whether alone or as a member of a group)
owns or has control of any such person; or

(c) any officer, employee or agent of any person mentioned in
35paragraph (a) or (b).

(5) For the purposes of subsection (4), a person or group of persons able,
directly or indirectly, to control or materially to influence the policy
of a body of persons corporate or unincorporate, but without having
a controlling interest in that body of persons, may be treated as
40having control of it.

(6) An extension under subsection (2) or (3) comes into force when
published under section 107.

(7) An extension under subsection (3) continues in force until—

(a) the person concerned provides the information or documents
45to the satisfaction of the CMA or (as the case may be) appears

as a witness in accordance with the requirements of the CMA;
or

(b) the CMA publishes its decision to cancel the extension.

41B Section 41A: supplementary

(1) 5A period extended under section 41A(2) may also be extended under
section 41A(3), and a period extended under section 41A(3) may also
be extended under section 41A(2).

(2) No more than one extension is possible under section 41A(2).

(3) Where a period is extended or further extended under section 41A(2)
10or (3), the period as extended or (as the case may be) further
extended is, subject to subsections (4) and (5), to be calculated by
taking the period being extended and adding to it the period of the
extension (whether or not those periods overlap in time).

(4) Subsection (5) applies where—

(a) 15the period within which the CMA must discharge its duty
under section 41(2) is further extended;

(b) the further extension and at least one previous extension is
made under section 41A(3); and

(c) the same days or fractions of days are included in or comprise
20the further extension and are included in or comprise at least
one such previous extension.

(5) In calculating the period of the further extension, any days or
fractions of days of the kind mentioned in subsection (4)(c) are to be
disregarded.

(6) 25The Secretary of State may by order amend section 41A so as to alter
either or both of the following periods—

(a) the period of 12 weeks mentioned in subsection (1) of that
section or any period for the time being mentioned in that
subsection in substitution for that period;

(b) 30the period of 6 weeks mentioned in subsection (2) of that
section or any period for the time being mentioned in that
subsection in substitution for that period.

(7) But no alteration may be made by virtue of subsection (6) which
results in—

(a) 35the period for the time being mentioned in section 41A(1)
exceeding 12 weeks; or

(b) the period for the time being mentioned in section 41A(2)
exceeding 6 weeks.

(8) Before making an order under subsection (6) the Secretary of State
40shall consult the CMA and such other persons as the Secretary of
State considers appropriate.”

7 After section 73 (undertakings in lieu of references under section 22 or 33)

insert—

“73A Time-limits for consideration of undertakings

(1) A party concerned who wishes to offer an undertaking to the CMA
for the purposes of section 73(2) must do so before the end of the
5period of 5 working days beginning with—

(a) the day after the CMA gives the person the notice required by
section 34ZA(1)(b); or

(b) in a case where subsection (2) of section 34A applies, the day
after the CMA gives the person the notice required by
10paragraph (b) of that subsection.

(2) If an undertaking is offered for those purposes, the CMA shall,
before the end of the period of 10 working days beginning with the
day mentioned in subsection (1)—

(a) decide whether there are reasonable grounds for believing
15that the undertaking or a modified version of it might be
accepted by the CMA under section 73(2), and

(b) if it considers that it might be, give notice to the person who
offered the undertaking that it is considering it.

(3) If such a notice is given, the CMA shall decide whether to accept the
20undertaking before the end of the period of 50 working days
beginning with the day mentioned in subsection (1).

(4) The CMA may extend the period mentioned in subsection (3), by no
more than 40 working days, if it considers that there are special
reasons for doing so.

(5) 25The CMA shall prepare and publish guidance in relation to the
exercise of its power under subsection (4).

(6) The CMA may revise any such guidance and, where it does so, shall
publish the revised statement.

(7) The CMA may extend the period mentioned in subsection (3) if it
30considers that a relevant person has failed (with or without
reasonable excuse) to comply with any requirement of a notice given
under section 109 in relation to the case in question.

(8) In subsection (7), “relevant person” means—

(a) any person carrying on any of the enterprises concerned;

(b) 35any person who (whether alone or as a member of a group)
owns or has control of any such person; or

(c) any officer, employee or agent of any person mentioned in
paragraph (a) or (b).

(9) For the purposes of subsection (8), a person or group of persons able,
40directly or indirectly, to control or materially influence the policy of
a body of persons corporate or unincorporate, but without having a
controlling interest in that body of persons, may be treated as having
control of it.

(10) An extension under subsection (4) or (7) comes into force when
45published under section 107.

(11) An extension under subsection (7) continues in force until—

(a) the person concerned provides the information or documents
to the satisfaction of the CMA or (as the case may be) appears
as a witness in accordance with the requirements of the CMA;
or

(b) 5the CMA publishes its decision to cancel the extension.

(12) In this section and section 73B, “working day” means any day which
is not—

(a) a Saturday, a Sunday, Good Friday or Christmas Day, or

(b) a day which is a bank holiday in England and Wales.

73B 10Section 73A: supplementary

(1) A period extended under section 73A(4) may also be extended under
section 73A(7), and a period extended under section 73A(7) may also
be extended under section 73A(4).

(2) No more than one extension is possible under section 73A(4).

(3) 15Where a period is extended or further extended under section 73A(4)
or (7), the period as extended or (as the case may be) further
extended is, subject to subsections (4) and (5), to be calculated by
taking the period being extended and adding to it the period of the
extension (whether or not those periods overlap in time).

(4) 20Subsection (5) applies where—

(a) the period within which the CMA must discharge its duty
under section 73A(3) is further extended,

(b) the further extension and at least one previous extension is
made under section 73A(7), and

(c) 25the same days or fractions of days are included in or comprise
the further extension and are included in or comprise at least
one such previous extension.

(5) In calculating the period of the further extension, any days or
fractions of days of the kind mentioned in subsection (4)(c) are to be
30disregarded.

(6) The Secretary of State may by order amend section 73A so as to alter
one or more of the periods for the time being mentioned in the
section.

(7) But no alteration may be made by virtue of subsection (6) which
35results in—

(a) the period mentioned in section 73A(1) exceeding 5 working
days;

(b) the period mentioned in section 73A(2) exceeding 10 working
days;

(c) 40the period mentioned in section 73A(3) exceeding 50 working
days;

(d) the period mentioned in section 73A(4) exceeding 40 working
days.

(8) Before making an order under subsection (6) the Secretary of State
45shall consult the CMA and such other persons as the Secretary of
State considers appropriate.”

8 (1) Section 96 (merger notices) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for the words from “of proposed arrangements” to the end
of the subsection substitute “of arrangements or proposed arrangements
which might have resulted or might result in the creation of a relevant
5merger situation.”

(3) In subsection (2) after paragraph (a) (and before the “and” immediately
following it) insert—

“(aa) shall contain the prescribed information;”.

(4) After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) 10Where the CMA is satisfied that a merger notice meets the
requirements of subsection (2), it shall give notice to that effect to the
person who gave the merger notice.”

(5) Omit subsections (3) and (4).

9 Sections 97 and 98 (period for considering merger notices) are omitted.

10 (1) 15Section 99 (certain functions in relation to merger notices) is amended as
follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for “the period for considering any merger notice begins”
substitute “the initial period (within the meaning of section 34ZA) begins in
relation to the merger notice”.

(3) 20In subsection (5), for “the period for considering any merger notice”
substitute “the initial period (within the meaning of section 34ZA) in relation
to a merger notice”.

11 (1) Section 100 (exceptions to protection given by merger notices) is amended as
follows.

(2) 25In subsection (1)—

(a) in the words before paragraph (a), for “Section 96(3) does not”
substitute “Sections 22(3)(za) and 33(3)(za) do not”,

(b) in those words, for “to the Commission” substitute “under section 22
or (as the case may be) 33”,

(c) 30in paragraph (a), for “the period for considering the merger notice”
substitute “the initial period (within the meaning of section 34ZA) in
relation to the merger notice”,

(d) in paragraph (c), omit the words from “by such time” to the end of
the paragraph, and

(e) 35in paragraph (e), for “the period for considering the merger notice”
substitute “the initial period (within the meaning of section 34ZA) in
relation to the merger notice”.

(3) In subsection (2)—

(a) in paragraph (a), for “section 22, 33 or 45” substitute “section 22 or
4033”, and

(b) in paragraph (b), for “section 96(3) does not” substitute “sections
22(3)(za) and 33(3)(za) do not”.

(4) In subsection (3), for “Section 96(3) does not” substitute “Sections 22(3)(za)
and 33(3)(za) do not”.

12 (1) Section 101 (merger notices: regulations) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2), in paragraph (a), omit “section 97(1), (2), (3) or (4) or”.

(3) In that subsection, omit paragraphs (c) to (f).

13 (1) Section 124 (order and regulations under Part 3) is amended as follows.

(2) 5In subsection (4)—

(a) after “section” insert “34ZC(6),”,

(b) after “40(8),” insert “41B(6),”, and

(c) after “68,” insert “, 73B(6),”.

(3) In subsection (5)—

(a) 10after “67(7)),” insert “34ZC(6),”,

(b) after “40(8),” insert “41B(6),”, and

(c) after “65(3)),” insert “73B(6),”.

Section 28(4)

SCHEDULE 9 Markets: cross-market references

1 15Part 4 of the 2002 Act (market investigations) is amended as follows.

2 (1) Section 133 (contents of references) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1)—

(a) omit the “and” following paragraph (b),

(b) in paragraph (c), at the beginning insert “in the case of an ordinary
20reference,”, and

(c) after paragraph (c) insert “; and

(d) in the case of a cross-market reference, the feature or
features concerned and the descriptions of goods or
services to which it or they relate.”

(3) 25In subsection (2)—

(a) in paragraph (a), after “a supply” insert “or, in the case of a cross-
market reference, supplies”, and

(b) in paragraph (b), after “an acquisition” insert “or, in the case of a
cross-market reference, acquisitions”.

3 (1) 30Section 134 (questions to be decided on market investigation references) is
amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (1), for “a market investigation” substitute “an ordinary”.

(3) After subsection (1) insert—

“(1A) The CMA shall, on a cross-market reference, decide in relation to
35each feature and each combination of the features specified in the
reference, whether the feature or combination of features, as it relates
to goods or services of one or more than one of the descriptions so
specified, prevents, restricts or distorts competition in connection
with the supply or acquisition of any goods or services in the United
40Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom.”

(4) In subsection (2), for “a market investigation” substitute “an ordinary”.

(5) After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) For the purposes of this Part, in relation to a cross-market reference,
there is an adverse effect on competition if a feature or a combination
5of the features specified in the reference, as that feature or
combination of features relates to goods or services of one or more
than one of the descriptions so specified, prevents, restricts or
distorts competition in connection with the supply or acquisition of
any goods or services in the United Kingdom or a part of the United
10Kingdom.”

(6) In subsection (5)(a), after “the market” insert “or markets”.

(7) In subsection (7), after “the market” insert “or markets”.

(8) In subsection (8)(a)(i), after “the market” insert “or markets”.

4 In section 138 (duty to remedy adverse effects), in subsection (5), after “the
15market” insert “or markets”.

5 (1) Section 141 (questions to be decided where intervention notice under section
139(1) is in force) is amended as follows.

(2) In subsection (2), after “shall” insert “, on an ordinary reference,”.

(3) After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A) 20The CMA shall, on a cross-market reference, decide in relation to
each feature and each combination of the features specified in the
reference, whether the feature or combination of features, as it relates
to goods or services of one or more than one of the descriptions so
specified, prevents, restricts or distorts competition in connection
25with the supply or acquisition of any goods or services in the United
Kingdom or a part of the United Kingdom.”

(4) In subsection (6), after “the market” insert “or markets”.

6 In section 147 (remedial action by the Secretary of State), in subsection (5),
after “the market” insert “or markets”.

7 30In section 154 (undertakings in lieu of references), in subsection (4), after “the
market” insert “or markets”.

8 (1) Section 156 (effect of undertakings under section 154) is amended as follows.

(2) Before subsection (1) insert—

“(A1) No market investigation reference shall be made by the CMA or the
35appropriate Minister in relation to any feature, or combination of
features, of a market in the United Kingdom for goods or services
if—

(a) the CMA has accepted an undertaking or group of
undertakings under section 154 within the previous 12
40months;

(b) the feature or combination of features to which the
undertaking or group of undertakings relates is the same as
the feature or combination of features to which the reference
would relate; and

(c) the goods or services to which the undertaking or group of
undertakings relates are of the same description as the goods
or services to which the reference would relate.”

(3) In subsection (1)—

(a) 5in the words before paragraph (a), for “market investigation”
substitute “ordinary”,

(b) in paragraph (a), after “has” insert “, instead of making an ordinary
reference,”, and

(c) in paragraph (b), for “the feature, or combination of features, relates”
10substitute “the reference would relate”.

(4) In subsection (2), for “Subsection (1) does” substitute “Subsections (A1) and
(1) do”.

9 (1) Section 184 (index of defined expressions for Part 4) is amended as follows.

(2) In the second column of the entry for “Adverse effect on competition”, after
15“134(2)” insert “and (2A)”.

(3) After the entry in the table for “Consumer” insert—

(4) Before the entry in the table for “Public interest consideration” insert—

Section 29(10)

20SCHEDULE 10 Markets: public interest interventions

1 Part 4 of the 2002 Act (market investigations) is amended as follows.

2 (1) Section 131 (power to make market investigation references) is amended as
follows.

(2) 25In subsection (4)(b), after “132” insert “or 140A(6)”.

(3) In subsection (6), in the definition of “market investigation reference”, after
“132” insert “or 140A(6)”.

3 In section 132 (ministerial power to make references), in subsection (4)—

(a) after “if” insert “—

(a)”, and

(b) at the end insert “; or

(b) a reference has been made under section 140A(6) in
relation to the same matter but has not been finally
determined.”