Belgium's energy minister Olivier Deleuze has complained to the European Commission about the British Government's £650 million loan to British Energy.

He asked the Competition Commissioner in Brussels whether the bail-out was normal and acceptable and warned state aid must not become a system of assistance for similarly beleaguered companies.

The Government is providing £650 million in loans to help keep British Energy in business. Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said the loan complied with European Commission rules.