and
the broadcasting media. Where a possible merger reference was concerned, the initial
evaluation of a proposal was made by a panel of civil servants (the Mergers Panel) who
considered whether the merger should be referred to the MMC for further consideration.
The decision then rested with the Secretary of State, who took advice from the
Director General of Fair Trading before deciding whether the proposal should be investigated
or should be allowed to proceedUnder the legislation, references to the Commission could be made on a number of