§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the United Kingdom Government regard competition in United Kingdom utilities as fair when it 697W involves competition between a British plc responsible to its shareholders and an overseas state owned company. [62193]
§ Dr. HowellsThe European Commission has exclusive competence as regards illegal state aids, including financial advantages which might be thought to arise from state-ownership. If the British Government had concerns in a particular case, they would make them known to the European Commission.
Any merger involving a state owned enterprise would be considered impartially on its merits by the relevant competition authorities.