3 August 2004

Merger reference made

August/September/October

Gather information, issue questionnaires, hear parties and third parties, site visits

Week beginning 27 September

Publish statement of issues

Week beginning 11 October

First main party hearings

October/November

Verify information, consider provisional findings

Week beginning 1 November

Second main party hearings

9 November

Deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions before provisional findings

Week beginning 15 November

Notify provisional findings

Late November

Consider and notify possible remedies (if required)

Week beginning 6 December

Remedies hearings(s) (if required)

20 December

Final deadline for all parties’ responses/submissions

Week beginning 3 January 2005

Publish report

17 January 2005

Statutory deadline