HC Deb 23 February 1981 vol 999 c645
12. Mr. Rost

asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he has any plans to introduce legislation which will make possible the private generation of electricity as a main business.

Mr. Norman Lamont

As my right hon. Friend announced on 21 July 1980, we intend to remove the present statutory prohibition as soon as a suitable legislative opportunity arises.

Mr. Rost

If it is the Government's genuine intention to remove this obstacle, by doing which they can make a major contribution to getting combined heat and power going in the country, why not use this afternoon's Energy Conservation Bill and put a sensible clause into that?

Mr. Lamont

We genuinely intend to make this change, and we have another legislative vehicle in mind for it.