Clause 183 - Investigation of offences under section 179
Enterprise Bill
5:15 pm
Mr Mark Field (Cities of London and Westminster, Conservative)
When the Under-Secretary referred to clause 183, she said that the OFT may conduct an investigation only if there are reasonable grounds. That is not what subsection (1) says. It gives far broader discretionary power and does not confine the OFT's power in the manner that she says it does. It gives almost carte blanche discretion, provided that there are reasonable grounds. The word ''only'' does not appear in subsection (1) at all.