19th Dec 2008 07:00
News Release
42/08 19 December 2008
CAPITA/IBS MERGER
Issues statement
The Competition Commission (CC) has today published an issues statement as part of its inquiry into the completed acquisition of IBS OPENSystems plc (IBS) by Capita Group plc (Capita).
The issues statement follows the first stages of gathering information, views and evidence and identifies clearly for all interested parties the specific questions and areas the inquiry is examining. This will form the basis for hearings with Capita and further interested parties.
The CC has been asked to decide whether the merger has resulted or may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition (SLC) within any market or markets in the UK for goods or services.
Capita and IBS overlap both in the provision of revenues and benefits software and related services to UK local authorities and in the provision of social housing software and related services to UK local authorities, housing associations and similar organisations.
The full issues statement is available on the CC website at www.competition-commission.org.uk/inquiries/ref2008/ibs/index.htm.
If the inquiry group (the Group) considers that the merger has resulted or may be expected to result in an SLC, it will consider whether and, if so, what remedies might be appropriate, taking into account any customer benefits that might arise from the acquisition, and will issue a remedies statement, should this be required, at about the time it publishes its provisional findings.
The issues statement should not be seen as implying that the Group has identified any competition concerns-the Group has yet to reach any conclusions on this inquiry. The purpose of making the issues statement public is to inform all interested parties and give them an opportunity to raise any further points with the CC.
The statutory deadline for publication of the CC's report is 5 May 2009.
The CC would like to hear comments on the issues statement from any interested parties, in writing, by 12 January 2009. To submit evidence, please email [email protected] or write to:
David Fowlis
Inquiry Manager
Competition Commission
Victoria House
Southampton Row
LONDON
WC1B 4AD
Notes for editors
The CC is an independent public body, which carries out investigations into mergers, markets, and the regulated industries.
The Enterprise Act 2002 empowers the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) to refer to the CC completed or proposed mergers for investigation and report which create or enhance a 25 per cent share of supply in the UK (or a substantial part thereof) or where the UK turnover associated with the enterprise being acquired is over £70 million.
The CC has a 24-week period in which it is required to publish its report, which may be extended by no more than eight weeks if it considers that there are special reasons why the report cannot be published within that period.
Further information on the CC and its procedures, including its policy on the provision of information and the disclosure of evidence, can be obtained from its website at: www.competition-commission.org.uk.
Enquiries should be directed to Siobhan Allen on 020 7271 0242 (email [email protected]).
Related Shares:
Capita