§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what is the current situation in respect of the repayment of illegal subsidies to Belgium by Beaulieu and 213W its subsidiary Fabelta since the ruling of the European Court of Justice in February 1990; what level of repayment has been made to date; and if he will make a statement. [39441]
§ Mr. PageMy Department has been informed by the Commission that, in accordance with the Court of Justice's judgment of 21 February 1990, the Belgian Government took action to recover the state aid awarded to the company, which the Commission had decided was incompatible with the common market. By judgment dated 25 February 1994, the commercial court of Ghent required the company to repay the aid with interest, and to pay the costs of the proceedings. The company has appealed but, pending the outcome of the appeal and as required by the judgment of the commercial court, it has paid the relevant amount—Bfr 1,088,898,853—into a ring-fenced account. The Commission and my Department continue to monitor developments closely.