51.—(1) Section 41EB (references under section 41E: application of Enterprise Act 2002)(1) is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (1), after “subsections” insert “(1A),”.
(3) After subsection (1), insert—
“(1A) Section 109 shall, in its application by virtue of subsection (1) above, have effect as if—
(a)for subsection (A1), there were substituted—
“(A1) For the purposes of this section, a permitted purpose is assisting the CMA in carrying out any functions exercisable by it in connection with a reference under section 41E of the Gas Act 1986.”, and
(b)subsection (8A) were omitted.”
(4) In subsection (2)—
(a)at the end of paragraph (a), omit “and”,
(b)after that paragraph, insert—
“(aa)after subsection (3), there were inserted—
“(3A) No penalty shall be imposed by virtue of subsection (1) or (3) if more than 4 weeks have passed since the publication of the report of the CMA on the reference concerned; but this subsection shall not apply in relation to any variation or substitution of the penalty which is permitted by virtue of this Part.”; and”.
(5) For subsection (3) substitute—
“(3) Section 111(5)(b) shall, in its application by virtue of subsection (1) above, have effect as if for sub-paragraph (ii) there were substituted—
“(ii)if earlier, the day on which the report of the CMA on the reference concerned is made or, if no such report is made within the period permitted for that purpose, the latest day on which the report may be made within the permitted period.”.”
Section 41EB was inserted by Schedule 25 to the Enterprise Act 2002 and subsequently amended by Schedule 16 to the Communications Act 2003 and Schedule 6 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2012.