§ Mr. Ian BruceTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government will take in the light of the European Commission's announcement that it is initiating new proceedings against the United Kingdom to secure the repayment of £44.4 million of aid in connection with the sale of Rover Group to British Aerospace.
§ Mr. LilleyThe European Commission has formally notified the United Kingdom that it is initiating the procedure in article 93(2) of the treaty in respect of the repayment of £44.4 million of state aid provided as part of the sale of the Rover Group. This follows the recent judgement of the European Court of Justice annulling an earlier Commission decision of 17 July 1990 requiring the Government to recover this sum from British Aerospace and Rover. I can confirm that the Government will abide by and implement a new Commission decision resulting from the new procedure, in accordance with our Community obligations.