HC Deb 31 July 1980 vol 989 cc807-8W
Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Lord Privy Seal if, under the terms of membership negotiated by the United Kingdom with the EEC, Her Majesty's Government accepted that decision 4/53 made by the European Coal and Steel Communities on 12 February 1953 and which requires coal and iron ore industries to submit their price lists to the European Coal and Steel Communities for approval, applies to these industries in the United Kingdom.

Sir Ian Gilmour

Yes, in so far as it applies to coal. Commission decision 72/442 (ECSC) of 22 December 1972 so amends ECSC decision 4/53 that it no longer applies to iron ore.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

asked the Lord Privy Seal what is the nature of the sanctions which can be applied by the EEC and the European Coal and Steel Communities in cases where price lists for coal and iron ore products in a member State are not approved by the European Coal and Steel Communities in terms of decision 4/53, or where discounts or special terms not referred to in such price lists are awarded by producers of coal and iron ore to customers: and whether these sanctions or penalties are imposed on the member State, the industries concerned, or the managers of the industries.

Sir Ian Gilmour

Under article 64 of the Treaty of Paris, the Commission may impose on undertakings infringing this decision fines not exceeding twice the value of the sales involved. If an infringement is repeated, this maximum can be doubled.