Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Thursday, 15 May 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 3 June 2003. It was answered by Patricia Hewitt (Labour) on Tuesday, 3 June 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, what assessment she has made of the impact of the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice on the legality of state-owned golden shares for (a) BAA, (b) National Grid, (c) Rolls Royce, (d) BAE Systems, (e) NATS, (f) British Energy and (g) the general economy.

Answer: Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment she has made of the impact of the recent ruling of the European Court of Justice on the legality of state-owned golden shares for (a) BAA, (b) National Grid, (c) Rolls Royce, (d) BAE Systems, (e) NATS, (f) British Energy and (g) the general economy. [114969] Ms Hewitt: Following the European Court of Justice ruling of 13 May 2003 on state-owned `golden' shares, we are reviewing the situation in regard to special shares held by the Department of Trade and Industry (including those for National Grid, Rolls Royce, BAE Systems and British Energy) to ensure that such share holdings comply with EU law and continue to be in the public interest. State-owned shares in BAA and NATS are a matter for the Department for Transport.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 114969; 406 c347W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Companies British Energy Government shareholding Economic situation National Assembly for Wales BAA Rolls-Royce BAE Systems National Grid Transco
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk