For announcement of referral see DTI Press Notice P/2003/152
Reference for the Carlton Communications Plc / Granada Plc Inquiry to
the Competition Commission
Terms of Reference
Whereas it appears to the Secretary of State that it is or may
be the fact that arrangements are in progress or in contemplation
which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a
merger situation qualifying for investigation, as defined in section
64(8) of the Fair Trading Act 1973 ("the Act"), in that:
- (a) enterprises carried on by or under the control of Granada plc
(at least one of which is carried on in the United Kingdom) will
cease to be distinct from enterprises carried on by or under the
control of Carlton Communications plc; and
- (b) the value of the assets to be taken over exceeds £70
million.
Now, therefore, the Secretary of State, in exercise of her powers
under sections 64, 69(2) and 75 of the Act, hereby refers to the
Competition Commission ("the Commission"), for investigation
and report within a period ending on 25 June 2003, the following
questions:
- whether arrangements are in progress, or in contemplation as
described in paragraph (a) above, which, if carried into effect,
will result in the creation of a merger situation qualifying for
investigation;
- (ii) if events so require, whether the actual results of those
arrangements are the creation of such a situation; and
- (iii) if so, in either case, whether the creation of that situation
may be expected to operate or (if events so require) operates against
the public interest.
In relation to the questions in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
above the Commission shall exclude from consideration one of paragraphs
(a) and (b) of section 64(1) of the Act if they find the other satisfied.
11 March 2003
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