28.2.2008 Official Journal of the European Union L 55/27 (Acts adopted under the EC Treaty/Euratom Treaty whose publication is not obligatory) DECISIONS COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 13 November 2007 State aid C 39/06 (ex NN 94/05) — First time shareholders scheme implemented by the United Kingdom (notified under document number C(2007) 5398) (Only the English version is authentic) (Text with EEA relevance) (2008/166/EC) THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) thereof, Having regard to the Agreement on the European Economic Area, and in particular Article 62(1)(a) thereof, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 659/1999 of 22 March 1999 laying down detailed rules for the application of Article 93 of the EC Treaty ('), and in particular Article 6(1) and Article 14 thereof, Having called on interested third parties to submit their comments pursuant to the provisions cited above (3), Whereas: I. PROCEDURE (1) By letter dated 15 June 2004, the Commission was informed by a citizen of the United Kingdom of unlawful aid granted by the Shetland Islands Council, the public authority of the Shetlands Islands of the United Kingdom. By letters dated 24 August 2004, 4 February 2005, 11 May 2005 and 16 December 2005, the Commission requested the United Kingdom to provide information about such aid. The United Kingdom provided the Commission with further infor- (') OJ L 83, 27.3.1999, p. 1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC) No 1791/2006 (OJ L 363, 20.12.2006, p. 1). () O] C 291, 30.11.2006, p. 5. mation by letters dated 10 December 2004, 6 April 2005, 8 September 2005 and 31 January 2006. (2) By letter dated 13 September 2006, the Commission informed the United Kingdom of the decision to initiate the procedure laid down in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty in respect of the aid. The United Kingdom provided its comments on the aid by letter dated 16 October 2006. (3)  The Commission decision to initiate the procedure was published in the Official Journal of the European Union on 30 November 2006 (}). The Commission invited any interested parties to submit their comments on the aid. No comments were received. II. DETAILED DESCRIPTION (4 The Shetland Islands Council made payments to the fisheries sector under the scope of two general aid measures named ‘Aid to the Fish Catching and Processing Industry’ and ‘Aid to the Fish Farming Industry’, which actually consisted of several different types of aid schemes in force since the 1970s. One of these schemes was the First time shareholders scheme’ (the scheme). Under  that scheme,  which  was () 0] C 291, 30.11.2006, p. 5.