§ Jim KnightTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) whether the Broadband Fund has received clearance from the European Commission as required by the state aid regulations; [33753]
(2) what (a) technical support and (b) state aid regulations compliance support is being provided to the South West Regional Development Agency by her Department to assist them in the construction of their policy for broadband deployment in the South West. [33743]
§ Mr. AlexanderAlthough the Broadband Fund has not been notified to the European Commission, any expenditure therefrom, to the extent that it amounts to state aid within the meaning of Article 87(1) of the EC Treaty, will have to be in conformity with the block exemption regulations or alternatively notified to, and approved by, the Commission.
The responsibilities of an RDA Accounting Officer encompass ensuring compliance with the EC rules on state aids. Advice and guidance on compliance is available to all public sector bodies from the State Aid 1128W Policy Unit in the Department. In particular, this Unit publishes "European Community State Aids—Guidance for All Departments and Agencies".
All projects under the UK Broadband Fund have been developed in consultation with DTI officials, although use of funds is a matter for SWRDA.