§ 86. Mr. FavellTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has received about the level of subsidies to other European Community countries' nationalised industries.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggFrom time to time we receive representations from industry about unfair competition from subsidised nationalised industries in other member states. Substantive complaints are pursued vigorously with the European Commission who are responsible for ensuring the proper application of the state aid rules of the European Economic Community treaty. We are concerned about the opportunities which other member states have to provide subsidies to their nationalised industries which may distort competition in the European Community.