§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will change the rules on providing help to firms for which more than 25 per cent. of ownership is in foreign hands. [65029]
§ Alan Johnson[holding answer 27 June 2002]: I am not aware of any such general rules. However, there are certain schemes of assistance which are only open to small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). This would exclude a firm which was more than 25 per cent. owned by a non SME, whether that was a UK or overseas undertaking. Whether it is appropriate to extend schemes of assistance to larger companies is a matter to be addressed on a scheme by scheme basis. In some circumstances, though, EC state aid rules would preclude such extensions.