Part II APPOINTMENTMENT AND REGULATION OF UNDERTAKERS

CHAPTER III PROTECTION OF CUSTOMERS ETC..

Provisions with respect to competition

F133 Exclusion of small mergers from duty to make reference.

(1)

The OFT shall not make a merger reference under section 32 above in respect of any actual or prospective merger of two or more water enterprises if it appears to the OFT—

(a)

that the value of the turnover of the water enterprise being taken over does not exceed or, as the case may be, would not exceed £10 million; or

(b)

that the only water enterprises already belonging to the person making the take over are enterprises each of which has a turnover the value of which does not exceed or, as the case may be, would not exceed £10 million.

(2)

For the purposes of subsection (1)(a) above, the value of the turnover of the water enterprise being taken over shall be determined by taking the total value of the turnover of the water enterprises ceasing to be distinct enterprises and deducting—

(a)

the turnover of any water enterprise continuing to be carried on under the same ownership and control; or

(b)

if there is no water enterprise continuing to be carried on under the same ownership and control, the turnover which, of all the turnovers concerned, is the turnover of the highest value.

(3)

For the purposes of subsection (1)(b) above—

(a)

every water enterprise ceasing to be a distinct enterprise and whose turnover is to be deducted by virtue of subsection (2)(a) or (b) above shall be treated as a water enterprise belonging to the person making the take over; and

(b)

water enterprises shall be treated as separate enterprises so far as they are carried on by different companies holding appointments under Chapter 1 of this Part.

(4)

For the purposes of this section the turnover of a water enterprise shall be determined in accordance with such provisions as may be specified in regulations made by the Secretary of State.

(5)

Regulations under subsection (4) above may, in particular, make provision as to—

(a)

the amounts which are, or which are not, to be treated as comprising an enterprise’s turnover; and

(b)

the date or dates by reference to which an enterprise’s turnover is to be determined.

(6)

Regulations under subsection (4) above may, in particular, make provision enabling the Secretary of State or the OFT to determine matters of a description specified in the regulations (including any of the matters mentioned in paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (5) above).

(7)

The Secretary of State may by regulations amend subsection (1) above so as—

(a)

to alter the sum for the time being mentioned in paragraph (a) of that subsection or otherwise to modify the condition set out in that paragraph; or

(b)

to alter the sum for the time being mentioned in paragraph (b) of that subsection or otherwise to modify the condition set out in that paragraph.

(8)

Regulations under subsection (7) above—

(a)

shall not make any modifications in relation to mergers on or before the coming into force of the regulations; and

(b)

may, in particular, include supplemental, consequential or transitional provision amending or repealing any provision of this section.

(9)

References in this section to enterprises being carried on under the same ownership and control shall be construed in accordance with Part 3 of the 2002 Act.