Part 4Market Studies and Market Investigations

Chapter 2Public interest cases

Intervention notices under section 139(1)

146F1Restricted PI references: decision of Secretary of State

(1)

Subsection (2) applies where the Secretary of State has received a F2report of the CMA in relation to a restricted PI reference which—

(a)

has been prepared under section 142;

(b)

contains the decisions that there is one or more than one adverse effect on competition and, on the question mentioned in section 141(4)(a) and in relation to at least one such adverse effect, that action should be taken by it; and

(c)

has been given to the Secretary of State as required by section 143(3).

(2)

The Secretary of State shall decide whether—

(a)

any eligible public interest consideration is relevant; or

(b)

any eligible public interest considerations are relevant;

to any action which is mentioned in the report by virtue of section 141(4)(a) and (c) and which the F3CMA should take for the purpose of remedying, mitigating or preventing any adverse effect on competition concerned or any detrimental effect on customers so far as it has resulted or may be expected to result from any adverse effect on competition.

(3)

The Secretary of State shall make and publish his decision under subsection (2) within the period of 90 days beginning with the receipt of the report of the F3CMA under section 142.

(4)

In this section “eligible public interest consideration” means a public interest consideration which—

(a)

was mentioned in the intervention notice concerned; and

(b)

was not disregarded by the F3CMA for the purposes of its report under section 142.