After section 138 of that Act insert—

“138ATime-limits for discharging duty under section 138

(1)

The CMA shall discharge its duty under section 138(2) within the period of 6 months beginning with the date on which it publishes the report concerned under section 136.

(2)

The CMA may extend, by no more than 4 months, the period within which its duty under section 138(2) is required to be discharged if it considers that there are special reasons for doing so.

(3)

The CMA may extend the period within which its duty under section 138(2) is required to be discharged if it considers that—

(a)

a person has failed (whether with or without reasonable excuse) to comply with any requirement of a notice under section 174 which was given in relation to the reference; and

(b)

the failure is preventing the CMA from properly discharging its duty under section 138(2).

(4)

An extension under subsection (2) or (3) shall come into force when published under section 172.

(5)

An extension under subsection (3) 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)

the CMA publishes its decision to cancel the extension.

138BSection 138A: supplementary

(1)

A period extended under section 138A(2) may also be extended under section 138A(3), and a period extended under section 138A(3) may also be extended under section 138A(2).

(2)

No more than one extension is possible under section 138A(2).

(3)

Where a period is extended or further extended under section 138A(2) or (3), 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 time).

(4)

Subsection (5) applies where—

(a)

the period within which the CMA shall discharge its duty under section 138(2) is further extended;

(b)

the further extension and at least one previous extension is made under section 138A(3); 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 fractions of days of the kind mentioned in subsection (4)(c) shall be disregarded.

(6)

The Secretary of State may by order amend section 138A so as to alter one or more of the following periods—

(a)

the period of 6 months mentioned in subsection (1) or any period for the time being there mentioned in substitution for that period;

(b)

the period of 4 months mentioned in subsection (2) or any period for the time being there mentioned in substitution for that period.

(7)

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

(a)

the period for the time being mentioned in section 138A(1) exceeding 6 months; or

(b)

the period for the time being mentioned in section 138A(2) exceeding 4 months.

(8)

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