Interim measures in relation to notifications of anticipated mergers and mergers
58A.—(1)  If, in respect of an application under section 57 or 58, the Commission has reasonable grounds for suspecting that —
(a)the section 54 prohibition will be infringed by an anticipated merger, if carried into effect; or
(b)the section 54 prohibition has been infringed by a merger,
but has not completed its consideration of the matter, and the Commission considers that it is necessary for it to act under this section —
(c)for the purpose of preventing any action that may prejudice —
(i)the consideration of the anticipated merger or merger; or
(ii)the giving of any direction under section 69; or
(d)as a matter of urgency for the purpose —
(i)of preventing serious, irreparable damage to a particular person or category of persons; or
(ii)of protecting the public interest,
the Commission may give such directions as it considers appropriate for that purpose.
[23/2007]
(2)  Before giving a direction under this section, the Commission must —
(a)give written notice to the person to whom it proposes to give the direction; and
(b)give that person an opportunity to make representations.
[23/2007]
(3)  A notice under subsection (2) must indicate the nature of the direction which the Commission is proposing to give and its reasons for wishing to give it.
[23/2007]
(4)  A direction given under this section has effect while subsection (1) applies, but may be replaced if the circumstances permit by a direction under section 69.
[23/2007]
(5)  Sections 69(2)(c)(i) and (d)(i) and 85 also apply to directions given under this section.
[23/2007]