21.8.2003 Official Journal of the European Union L 211/49 I (Acts whose publication is not obligatory) COMMISSION COMMISSION DECISION of 3 June 2003 on the Orkney Islands Council track-record scheme (notified under document number C(2003) 1686) (Only the English text is authentic) (2003/611/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), 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 14 thereof, Having invited interested parties to submit their comments, in accordance with the first subparagraph of Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty, Whereas: ) I. PROCEDURE In February 1999 the Commission was informed by a Member of the European Parliament of a scheme involving the purchase of quotas by Orkney Islands Council (OIC), hereinafter ‘the OIC scheme’, whereby the quotas acquired were to be rented to fishermen. By letter dated 25 March 1999 the Commission requested the United Kingdom authorities, hereinafter ‘the UK authorities’, to provide information about this scheme. Following a reminder, the UK authorities provided a response by letter dated 9 August 1999. The Commission requested further information by letters dated 1 September 1999, 12 April 2000 and 22 June 2000. The UK authorities sent information by letters dated 6 March 2000, 9 March 2000 and 16 May 2000. However, no response to the letter dated 22 June 2000 was received. A meeting was held with the UK authorities at Commission offices on 18 October 2000. The Commission informed the United Kingdom by letter dated 28 November 2001 of its decision to initiate, in relation to the OIC scheme, the formal investigation procedure provided for in Article 88(2) of the EC Treaty. Following mutual agreement to extend the deadline for a response, confirmed to the UK authorities by Commission letter dated 20 December 2001, the United Kingdom provided its comments on the case by letters dated 6 February and 28 February 2002. By letter dated 7 August 2002, the Commission requested documents to which reference was made in the reply of the UK authorities dated 28 February 2002. They were received on 27 August 2002. () OJ L 83,27.3.1999, p. 1.