State aid — United Kingdom (Articles 87 to 89 of the Treaty establishing the European Community) — Commission notice pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty to other Member States and interested parties — State aid C 7/2002 (ex N 577/2001) — Ford Bridgend (Text with EEA relevance)
Date: 2002-12-24
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: State aid, United Kingdom, control of State aid, engine, exchange of information, motor vehicle industry

24.12.2002

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 324/11

STATE AID — UNITED KINGDOM

(Articles 87 to 89 of the Treaty establishing the European Community)

Commission notice pursuant to Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty to other Member States and
interested parties

State aid C 7/2002 (ex N 577/2001) — Ford Bridgend

(2002/C 324/05)

(Text with EEA relevance)

By the letter reproduced below, dated 10 October 2002, the
Commission informed the United Kingdom that it had decided
to terminate the proceedings initiated under Article 88(2) of
the EC Treaty.

‘By letter dated 26 July 2001 the British authorities notified the
Commission of the aid referred to above. The Commission
requested further information on 18 September 2001, and
carried out an on site visit to the Bridgend premises on 26
October 2001. The British authorities replied to the request of
information by letter dated 4 December 2001.

On 13 February 2002 the Commission decided to initiate the
procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in
respect of the aid.

The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was
published in the Official Journal of the European Communities (1).
The Commission called on interested parties to submit their
comments.

The Commission received comments from interested parties on
29 April 2002. It forwarded them to the United Kingdom,
which was given the opportunity to react;
its comments
were received by letter dated 26 June 2002.

By letter of 19 August 2002 the United Kingdom withdrew the
notification of the aid.

The Commission notes that according to Article 8 of
the
Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 (2), the Member State
concerned may withdraw the notification in due time before
the Commission has taken a decision on the aid. In cases where
the Commission has
investigation
procedure, the Commission shall close that procedure.

initiated

formal

the

Consequently, the Commission decided to close the formal
investigation procedure under Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty
in respect of
the United
Kingdom has withdrawn its notification.

the relevant aid,

recording that

If the British authorities intend to grant any aid in connection
with the Ford Bridgend project before 31 December 2002,
prior notification to the Commission will be required. As
from 1 January 2003, the new Multisectoral Framework on
regional aid for large investment projects approved by the
Commission on 13 February 2002 will be
applicable.
According to the Framework, the maximum aid intensity for
regional investment aid in the motor vehicle sector (as defined
in Annex C to the Framework), granted under an approved
scheme in favour of projects that involve either eligible expen-
diture above EUR 50 million or an aid amount above EUR 5
million expressed in gross grant equivalent, will be equal to
30 % of the corresponding regional aid ceiling. These rules will
be in force until the date of applicability of the List of sectors
to which point 31 of the Framework refers. In order to ensure
transparency and effective monitoring Member States will be
requested
summary
information in the form laid down in Annex A to the
Framework.’

the Commission with

to provide

(1) OJ C 217, 29.7.2000.

(2) Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying
down detailed rules for application of Article 93 of the Treaty (OJ
L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1).