Part 4Market Studies and Market Investigations
Chapter 3Enforcement
Interim undertakings and orders
158 Interim orders: Part 4
(1)
Subsection (2) applies where—
(a)
a market investigation reference has been made;
(b)
a report has been published under section 136 within the period permitted by section 137 or (as the case may be) a report prepared under section 142 and given to the Secretary of State under section 143(3) F1or (as the case may be) 143A(3) within the period permitted by section 144 has been published; and
(c)
the market investigation reference concerned is not finally determined.
(2)
The relevant authority may by order, for the purpose of preventing pre-emptive action—
(a)
prohibit or restrict the doing of things which the relevant authority considers would constitute pre-emptive action;
(b)
impose on any person concerned obligations as to the carrying on of any activities or the safeguarding of any assets;
(c)
provide for the carrying on of any activities or the safeguarding of any assets either by the appointment of a person to conduct or supervise the conduct of any activities (on such terms and with such powers as may be specified or described in the order) or in any other manner;
(d)
do anything which may be done by virtue of paragraph 19 of Schedule 8.
F2(2A)
Subsection (2B) applies where—
(a)
subsection (1)(a) to (c) applies; and
(b)
the relevant authority has reasonable grounds for suspecting that pre-emptive action has or may have been taken.
(2B)
The relevant authority may by order, for the purpose of restoring the position to what it would have been had the pre-emptive action not been taken or otherwise for the purpose of mitigating its effects—
(a)
do anything mentioned in subsection (2)(b) to (d);
(b)
impose such other obligations, prohibitions or restrictions as it considers appropriate for that purpose.
F3(2C)
A person may, with the consent of the relevant authority, take action of a particular description where the action would otherwise constitute a contravention of an undertaking accepted under this section.
(3)
An order under this section—
(a)
shall come into force at such time as is determined by or under the order; and
(b)
may be varied or revoked by another order.
(4)
An order under this section shall, if it has not previously ceased to be in force, cease to be in force when the market investigation reference is finally determined.
(5)
The relevant authority shall, as soon as reasonably practicable, consider any representations received by the relevant authority in relation to varying or revoking an order under this section.