14. 6. 85 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 155/55 (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 13 February 1985 on the United Kingdom’s proposal to assist sections of the clothing, footwear, knitting and textile industries (Only the English text is authentic) ' (85/305/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 to the parties concerned to submit their comments as provided for in the said Article 93, and having regard to those comments, Whereas : I By letter dated 18 April 1984, the United Kingdom Government had notified to the Commission a proposal to introduce a scheme of financial assistance under section 8 of the Industrial Development Act 1982 for the benefit of sections of the clothing, foot- wear, knitting and textile industries. The declared aim of the proposed scheme was to enable small and medium-sized firms to undertake investment in advanced technology equipment. The scheme would have a limit of £ 20 million and aid would take the form of either grants of up to 20 % of investment costs or guarantees for 80 % and two years of loans granted by approved financial institutions for the purchase of advanced equipment. Following an initial scrutiny, the Commission con- sidered that the aim of improving productivity, cited by the United Kingdom as the main reason for the assistance, had largely been achieved. The Commission also considered that the clothing, knitting and textile industries’ economic development — being relatively favourable in comparison to the trends experienced by some of its Community counterparts — had led to a situation where financial assistance would not promote a development which would be in the interest of the Community. In addition, the Commission took the view that the programme notified by the United Kingdom Govern- ment did not meet certain conditions and criteria for sectoral aids. The Commission considered that the programme noti- fied to it would — by favouring certain undertakings or the production of certain goods in sectors where there is a high volume of trade and where competition is very keen — be likely to affect trade between Member States and would, thus, be incompatible with the common market. The Commission also considered that the scheme did not meet the conditions necessary to benefit from one of the derogations of Article 92 of the EEC Treaty. ‘ The Commission initiated the procedure provided for in the first subparagraph of Article 93 (2), and, by letter of 19 June 1984, gave the United Kingdom Government notice to submit its comments. II The United Kingdom Government, in submitting its comments under the procedure provided for in Article 93 (2) by letters of 8 August 1984 and 11 December