(1) The CMA shall prepare its report under section 50 and give it to the Secretary of State under that section within the period of 24 weeks beginning with the date of the reference concerned.
(2) [deleted]
(2A) Where -
(a) the CMA and the persons carrying on the enterprises concerned agree -
(i) that the period within which a report under section 50 is to be prepared and published (the "original period") should be extended, and
(ii) the duration of the period by which the original period should be extended (the "extension period"), and
(b) the Secretary of State consents to the original period being extended by the extension period,
the CMA may extend the original period by the extension period.
(3) The CMA may extend, by no more than 8 weeks, the period within which a report under section 50 is to be prepared and given to the Secretary of State if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be prepared and given to the Secretary of State within that period.
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