HL Deb 11 September 2003 vol 652 cc145-6WA
Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the size of the funding bid to HM Treasury last year for money to modernise the civil and family courts; and why the bid was turned down. [HL4285]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

The European Commission has not ruled that the Government's aid to British Energy is unlawful. The Commission announced on 23 July that it was opening a formal investigation procedure into the restructuring aid, which is normal in major restructuring aid cases. It also set out a number of issues and questions on our notification of the company's restructuring plan on 7 March which the Government have addressed in its response to the Commission. The Commission's announcement was very much the beginning of a process and we look forward to working with it to complete the case as swiftly as possible. The Government do, of course remain well prepared for administration should British Energy fail, for any reason, to implement its restructuring plan.