Competition
Business, Innovation and Skills
Written answers and statements, 5 November 2009
Andrew George (St Ives, Liberal Democrat)
To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills on what criteria his Department's decisions on recommendations referred to it by the competition authorities under the Enterprise Act 2002 are taken.
Kevin Brennan (Minister of State (also in the Department for Business, Innovations and Skills), Department for Children, Schools and Families; Cardiff West, Labour)
There is no set criteria, however all decisions on recommendations made to Government by the competition authorities are considered very carefully. Although it is the role of this Department to formally respond, Government collectively will weigh up a number of factors which include costs and benefits and the impact on the wider economy. The factors taken into account will vary according to the market and the recommendation in question. In addition Government would not want to prejudge or rule out the range or type of issue that might be raised by stakeholders during any consultation that followed.