§ Sir Cranley OnslowTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what recent representations he has made to the 513W European Commission on the subject of state aids to national steel industries, with particular reference to subsidies provided by the Italian and Spanish Governments; and with what result.
§ Mr. EggarI have urged the European Commission—most recently at the Industry Council on 8 November—to intensify its monitoring of the state aid cases agreed in December 1993 to ensure that the strict conditions agreed then are adhered to; and I obtained a firm commitment that they would take firm action against breaches, including repayment of the subsidy. I am determined that the highly efficient, unsubsidised United Kingdom industry should not be disadvantaged by illegally subsidised competition.