(1) Chapter 2 of Part 3 of EA 2002 (mergers: public interest cases) is amended as follows.

(2) In section 51 (time-limits for investigations and reports by CMA) -

(a) before subsection (3) insert -

"(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.";

(b) in subsection (7), after "subsection" insert "(2A),";

(c) after that subsection insert -

"(7A) An extension under subsection (2A) continues in force until -

(a) the end of the extension period, or