§ Mr. BellinghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when the European Commission will report on the UK Government's financial assistance to British Energy. [142139]
§ Mr. TimmsThe Commission approved our rescue aid to British Energy on 27 November 2002.
The Commission announced on 23 July 2003 that it was opening a formal investigation procedure into our proposed restructuring aid to British Energy, which is normal in major restructuring aid cases. The Commission must reach a decision within 18 months of 252W opening the investigation but in practice may reach a decision before then. We currently expect to receive a decision by mid-2004.