Written question asked by Teddy Taylor (Conservative) on Friday, 5 September 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 11 September 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 11 September 2003 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, if she will make a statement on the enquiries initiated by the European Commission on the subsidising by France of the computer group Bull and Company; and what the outcome of the enquiries has been. - Inc figures and ref to Official Journal of the European Communities, C 128, 30.5.2002 and C 209, 19.8.2003. (Holding answer 10 September 2003)

Answer: Sir Teddy Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the inquiries initiated by the European Commission on the subsidising by France of the computer group Bull and Company; and what the outcome of the inquiries has been. [128823] Mr. Mike O'Brien :[holding answer 10 September 2003]: The European Commission announced on 9 April 2002 that it was launching an investigation into a è450 million cash advance by France to Bull. On 13 November 2002, it authorised the aid and ordered France to submit evidence of the reimbursement by Bull of the advance with interest by 17 June 2003. Copies of the notices appear in the Official Journal of the European Communities, C 128, 30.5.2002 and C 209, 19.8.2003 respectively.

Secondary information