§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations she has made to the(a) French authorities and (b) European Commission on French state aids in the case of Alsthom. [131968]
§ Ms Hewitt[holding answer 14 October 2003]None. The European Commission has announced that it is launching a formal investigation into France's280W proposals. The Commission will in due course provide member states arid third parties with an opportunity to comment. We will consider the position further when the Commission has published full details.