22. 2. 84 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 51/17 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 14 October 1983 on the aid that the United Kingdom Government proposes to grant for an investment to expand production capacity for polypropylene film (Only the English text is authentic) (84/94/EEC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2) thereof, Having given notice, in accordance with the above- mentioned provision, to the parties concerned to submit their comments and having regard to those comments, Whereas : On 7 March 1983, the United Kingdom Government notified the Commission of a proposal to provide a grant of £ 1,35 million under section 8 of the Indus- trial Development Act 1982 for an investment project costing an estimated £ 12,6 million at Swindon, involving expansion of production capacity for poly- propylene film. The investment would modernize the existing produc- tion unit with a capacity of 2000 tonnes of poly- propylene film a year and raise its capacity to 9 000 tonnes a year. On 20 April 1983, the Commission decided to open the procedure provided for in Article 93 (2) of the EEC Treaty in respect of the proposal, as it believed the aid was liable to affect trade between the Member States to an extent contrary to the common interest and did not appear to be necessary to cause the undertaking con- cerned to adopt a course of action that would allow the Commission to apply one of the exceptions to the principle of the incompatibility of State aids with the common market. The United Kingdom Government replied to the opening of the procedure on 26 May 1983. It argued that the aid was necessary since the investment project would not proceed without it, owing to the under- taking’s shortage of funds, and that the planned expansion of capacity would not distort competition as far as other Community producers of polypropylene film were concerned. Two Member State governments, one trade association representing firms in the industry and one individual competitor of the prospective recipient have said they share the Commission’s concern about the possibility of distortions of competition arising from the planned award. The proposed United Kingdom aid is liable to affect trade between Member States and threatens to distort competition within the meaning of Article 92 (1) of the EEC Treaty by favouring the undertaking in ques- tion and production of polypropylene film.