The development of British competition law. A complete overhaul and harmonization

The establishment in 1973 of the Office of Fair Trading

Under the 1948 Act references to the Commission could be made only by the

Minister of Economics but after 1973 the Director General of Fair Trading, the head

                                                          

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However, section 79 of the Fair Trading Act 1973 (see above) empowers the Minister of Economics

to refer to the MMC „restrictive labour practices„ i.e. practices whereby, with certain exceptions,

restrictions or other requirements (not relating exclusively to rates of remuneration) operate in

relation to the employment of, or work done by, workers: on such a reference, the MMC is required

to disregard any conduct that takes place in contemplation or furtherance of an industrial dispute.

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of a newly established, independent competition and fair trading agency (the Office

of Fair Trading), was also given the power to make references, except for references

of mergers and in a few other special cases, and in practice since 1973 references

other than merger references have been made by the Director General of Fair

Trading.