§ Mr. BattleTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what representations he has had from the European Commission concerning ERDF grants given to state owned bodies that are subsequently privatised. [5889]
§ Mr. EggarThe Secretary General of the Commission wrote to all member states earlier this year requesting details of European regional development fund grants to companies which were subsequently privatised. A list of such grants in the United Kingdom was sent in reply. The Commission subsequently asked for further information. We have asked for clarification of this request.