Section 130

Introduction

1 In EA 2002, Part 3 (mergers) is amended as follows.

Prohibition on newspaper enterprise mergers involving foreign powers

2 After Chapter 3 insert -

"CHAPTER 3A MERGERS INVOLVING NEWSPAPER ENTERPRISES AND FOREIGN POWERS

70A Intervention by the Secretary of State

(1) The Secretary of State must give the CMA a notice (a "foreign state intervention notice") if the Secretary of State has reasonable grounds for suspecting that it is or may be the case that -

(a) a foreign state newspaper merger situation has been created, or

(b) arrangements are in progress or in contemplation which, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a foreign state newspaper merger situation.

(2) A foreign state intervention notice must describe the foreign state newspaper merger situation to which it relates.

(3) For the purposes of this Chapter a foreign state newspaper merger situation has been created where -

(a) as a result of two or more enterprises ceasing to be distinct, a relevant merger situation would have been created by virtue of section 23(1) if the modifications in Schedule 6A had effect,