The Deregulation (Fair Trading Act 1973) (Amendment) (Merger Reference Time Limits) Order 1996

the Secretary of State is of the opinion that certain provisions of the Fair Trading Act 19731 impose burdens affecting persons in the carrying on of a trade, business, profession or otherwise and that by amending or repealing the provisions concerned it is possible to remove or reduce the burdens without removing any necessary protection;

he has consulted such organisations as appear to him to be representative of interests substantially affected by his proposals and such other persons as he considers appropriate;

it appears to the Secretary of State that it is appropriate, following that consultation, to proceed with the making of this Order;

a document setting out the Secretary of State’s proposals has been laid before Parliament in accordance with section 3 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 19942 and the period for Parliamentary consideration under section 4 of that Act has expired;

the Secretary of State has had regard to the representations made during that period;

a draft of this Order has been laid before Parliament with a statement giving details of such representations and the changes (if any) to the Secretary of State’s proposals in the light of those representations; and

a draft of this Order has been approved by resolution of each House of Parliament: