92001E0245

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0245/01

by Gorka Knörr Borràs (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

(31 January 2001)

Subject: Babcock Wilson España

On 13 June 2000 the Commission issued a press release stating that it was extending the existing investigation on aid to Babcock Wilson España SA to include the aid elements involved in its privatisation. Bearing in mind that the Basque Government has not been informed of this and that there is considerable alarm among workers (a large number of jobs are threatened) can the Commission say what stage has been reached in the investigations?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission

(16 March 2001)

On 13 June 2000 the Commission decided to extend for the second time the Article 88 (ex Article 93)(2) of the EC Treaty procedure No C 33/98 to include under the existing investigation the aid elements identified in the arrangements for the privatisation of Babcock Wilcox Española S.A. notified by the Spanish authorities. The investigation had been opened in 1998(1) and then extended for the first time in 1999(2).

Following this latest extension of the procedure, the Commission published its decision on the Official Journal(3). This publication had for objective to give third interested parties the opportunity to submit their comments to the Commission. As a third interested party, the Government of the region where Babcock Wilcox is located, the Diputación Foral de Vizcaya, has submitted its observations. They will be taken into account when the Commission adopts its final decision in this case.

The investigation is currently in its last phase of assessment. In view of the time constraints imposed by the privatisation process, the Commission will try to speed up procedures with a view to adopting a final decision as soon as possible.

(1) OJ C 249, 8.8.1998.

(2) OJ C 280, 2.10.1999.

(3) OJ C 232, 12.8.2000.