Fair Trading Act 1973

84 Public interest. U.K.

(1) In determining for any purposes to which this section applies whether any particular matter operates, or may be expected to operate, against the public interest, the Commission shall take into account all matters which appear to them in the particular circumstances to be relevant and, among other things, shall have regard to the desirability—

(a) of maintaining and promoting effective competition between persons supplying goods and services in the United Kingdom;

(b) of promoting the interests of consumers, purchasers and other users of goods and services in the United Kingdom in respect of the prices charged for them and in respect of their quality and the variety of goods and services supplied;

(c) of promoting, through competition, the reduction of costs and the development and use of new techniques and new products, and of facilitating the entry of new competitors into existing markets;

(d) of maintaining and promoting the balanced distribution of industry and employment in the United Kingdom; and

(e) of maintaining and promoting competitive activity in markets outside the United Kingdom on the part of producers of goods, and of suppliers of goods and services, in the United Kingdom.

(2) This section applies to the purposes of any functions of the Commission under this Act other than functions to which section 59(3) of this Act applies.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 84 extended (4.4.1980) by Competition Act 1980 (c. 21), s. 11(9) and extended ibid., ss. 7(6), 33(5)

S. 84 applied (with modifications) (1.4.1999) by 1980 c. 21, s. 11(9A) (as substituted (1.4.1999) by 1998 c. 41, s. 74(1), Sch. 12 para. 4(3) (with s. 73); S.I. 1999/505, art. 2, Sch. 2)