§ 37. Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Finance Ministers of the European Economic Community will now review the energy subsidies to industry in each member country of the European Economic Community, whether hidden or otherwise, following the Commission report to Energy Ministers arising out of the National Economic Development Council task force report earlier this year; and if he will satisfy himself that the high energy-using British companies are not still placed at a disadvantage.
§ Mr. Norman LamontIt is important for all member States in the Community to implement the energy pricing principles agreed by the Council of Energy Ministers in May 1980. The Commission communication on energy pricing—which results from the initiative I took at the Energy Council on 3 March—has not yet come forward but is to be presented to the next Energy Council. Furthermore, the Council of Finance Ministers on 15 June may discuss a Commission report on energy subsidies.