Mr Jonathan Djanogly (Huntingdon, Conservative)

I am interested to know how the Government arrived at the period of 20 days for an extension under clause 23(1).

Miss Melanie Johnson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department of Trade and Industry; Welwyn Hatfield, Labour)

In response to requests from business, we proposed that the parties involved and the OFT should be able to agree an extension of the deadline for reference by up to 20 working days. We are also looking at other aspects of the timetable, as the hon. Member for Huntingdon is aware, and there is provision for further extension for cases that might be dealt with by the European Commission.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause 23 ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Mr Derek Conway (Old Bexley & Sidcup, Conservative)

Before we canter through any more clauses, I must mention that when we come to the raft of amendments that have been debated, Government amendments will be put formally, but I do not intend

to call other amendments for a Division unless the hon. Members in whose name they were tabled have indicated to the Clerk that they want a Division.

Clauses 24 and 25 ordered to stand part of the Bill.