Section 36A: Functions with respect to competition., Gas Act 1986

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The functions to which subsection (2A) below applies shall be concurrent functions of the Authority and the CMA.

This subsection applies to the functions of the CMA under Part 4 of the Enterprise Act 2002 (other than sections 166 , 167C , 171 and 174E) so far as those functions—

are exercisable by the CMA Board (within the meaning of Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013), and

relate to commercial activities connected with the carrying on of activities to which this subsection applies.

So far as necessary for the purposes of, or in connection with, subsections (2) and (2A) above—

references in Part 4 of the Act of 2002 to the CMA (including references in provisions of that Act applied by that Part) shall be construed as including references to the Authority (except in sections 166 , 167C , 171 and 174E of that Act and in any other provision of that Act where the context otherwise requires);

references in that Part to section 5 of the Act of 2002 are to be construed as including references to section 34(1) and (2) of this Act.

Section 130A of the Enterprise Act 2002 is to have effect in its application in relation to the Authority by virtue of subsections (2) and (2A)—

as if for subsection (1) of that section there were substituted—1Where the Gas and Electricity Markets Authority—the Authority must publish a notice under this section (referred to in this Part as a "market study notice").ais proposing to carry out its functions under section 34(1) or (2) of the Gas Act 1986 in relation to a matter for the purposes mentioned in subsection (2), andbconsiders that the matter is one in respect of which it would be appropriate for the Authority to exercise its powers under section 174 (investigation) in connection with deciding whether to make a reference under section 131,, and

as if in subsection (2)(a) of that section, for "the acquisition or supply of goods or services of one or more than one description in the United Kingdom" there were substituted "commercial activities connected with the carrying on of activities to which section 36A(2A) of the Gas Act 1986 applies".

The Authority shall be entitled to exercise, concurrently with the CMA, the functions of the CMA under the provisions of Part 1 of the Competition Act 1998 (other than sections 31D(1) to (6) , 35C, 38(1) to (6) , 40B(1) to (4) and 51), so far as relating to—

agreements, decisions or concerted practices of the kind mentioned in section 2(1) of that Act,

conduct of the kind mentioned in section 18(1) of that Act, or

transferred EU anti-trust commitments or transferred EU anti-trust directions (as defined in section 40ZA of that Act),

which relate to the carrying on of activities to which this subsection applies.

So far as necessary for the purposes of, or in connection with, the provisions of subsection (3) above, references in Part I of the Competition Act 1998 (including references in provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 applied by that Part) to the CMA are to be read as including a reference to the Director ( except in sections 31D(1) to (6) , 35C, 38(1) to (6), 40B(1) to (4), 51, 52(6) and (8) and 54 of that Act and in any other provision of that Act where the context otherwise requires).

Subsections (2A) and (3) above apply to—

such activities as are mentioned in section 5(1) above; and

activities ancillary to such activities as are so mentioned (including in particular the storage of gas, the provision and reading of meters and the provision of pre-payment facilities).

Before the CMA or the Authority first exercises in relation to any matter functions which are exercisable concurrently by virtue of subsection (2) above, it shall consult the other.

Neither the CMA nor the Authority shall exercise in relation to any matter functions which are exercisable concurrently by virtue of subsection (2) above if functions which are so exercisable have been exercised in relation to that matter by the other.

It shall be the duty of the Director, for the purpose of assisting a CMA group in carrying out an investigation on a market investigation reference made by the Authority (under section 131 of the Act of 2002) by virtue of subsection (2) . . . above, to give to the group —

any information which is in his possession and which relates to matters falling within the scope of the investigation and—

is requested by the group for that purpose; or

is information which in his opinion it would be appropriate for that purpose to give to the group without any such request; and

any other assistance which the group may require and which it is within his power to give, in relation to any such matters,

and the group shall, for the purposes of carrying out any such investigation, take into account any information given to them for that purpose under this subsection.

In subsection (6) "CMA group" has the same meaning as in Schedule 4 to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.

If any question arises as to whether subsection (2) or (3) above applies to any particular case, that question shall be referred to and determined by the Secretary of State; and no objection shall be taken to anything done under—

Part 4 of the Enterprise Act 2002; or

Part I of the Competition Act 1998 ( other than sections 31D(1) to (6) , 35C , 38(1) to (6) , 40B(1) to (4) and 51),

by or in relation to the Director on the ground that it should have been done by or in relation to the CMA .

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Any reference in this Part to functions of the Director under this Part, or to functions assigned to him by or under this Part, includes a reference to functions exercisable by the Authority by virtue of subsection (2) or (3) above ..

In making any decision, or otherwise taking action, for the purposes of any of its functions that—

by virtue of this section, are functions exercisable concurrently with the CMA, and

in the case of functions under the Competition Act 1998, are functions within Schedule 4A to the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 by virtue of paragraph 5 of that Schedule,

the Authority must have regard to the need for making a decision, or taking action, as soon as reasonably practicable.

Section 36A: Functions with respect to competition.

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