(1)The Commission shall prepare its report under section 50 and give it to the Secretary of State under that section within the period of 24 weeks beginning with the date of the reference concerned.
(2)Where article 9(6) of the European Merger Regulations applies in relation to the reference under section 45, the Commission shall prepare its report under section 50 and give it to the Secretary of State—
(a)within the period of 24 weeks beginning with the date of the reference; or
(b)if it is a shorter period, within such period as is necessary to ensure compliance with that article.
(3)The Commission may extend, by no more than 8 weeks, the period within which a report under section 50 is to be prepared and given to the Secretary of State if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be prepared and given to the Secretary of State within that period.
(4)The Commission may extend the period within which a report under section 50 is to be prepared and given to the Secretary of State if it considers that a relevant person has failed (whether with or without a reasonable excuse) to comply with any requirement of a notice under section 109.
(5)In subsection (4) “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 paragraph (a) or (b).
(6)For the purposes of subsection (5) 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 having control of it.
(7)An extension under subsection (3) or (4) shall come into force when published under section 107.
(8)An extension under subsection (4) shall continue in force until—
(a)the person concerned provides the information or documents to the satisfaction of the Commission or (as the case may be) appears as a witness in accordance with the requirements of the Commission; or
(b)the Commission publishes its decision to cancel the extension.
(9)This section is subject to sections 52 and 53.