Body’s dual role backed

Tuesday 13th October 2009, 3:01PM BST.

Peter Freeman (left) and Bruno Lasserre at the seminar at the Pomme d’Or Hotel on Friday Picture: ROB CURRIE (00808339)

THE dual role of the Jersey Competition Regulatory Authority as both a competition regulator and utility regulator has been defended by the heads of the UK and French competition authorities.

The Competition Commission chairman, Peter Freeman, and the president of the Autorité de la Concurrence, Bruno Lasserre, were in the Island to celebrate the fourth anniversary of Jersey’s Competition Law.

They attended the JCRA seminar at the Pomme d’Or on Friday and explained why the JCRA’s dual role as competition and utility regulator was not conflicted.

Mr Freeman said that the situation was much the same in the UK. ‘I am a firm believer that they sit well together,’ he said. ‘When we make inquiries it is helpful to be able to take on board regulatory objectives and requirements as well as issues of competition in the market. I think the two complement each other.’

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