§ 16. Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy on how many occasions in the last 12 months electricity has been exported to France via the cross-Channel link.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNone since January 1987. In 1986–87, 188 GW hours were exported to France via the Channel link.
§ Mr. PikeIs it not a fact that for most of the time electricity has been imported from France? Is it not important that when the privatisation of the electricity industry takes place some safeguardss are put into the Bill to ensure that the industry does not continue to import at ever-increasing rates, to the detriment of our own electricity industry?
§ Mr. SpicerThe safeguard, if that is the right expression, is that French electricity is interruptible, and cannot therefore be guaranteed. It comes in at a lower price commensurate with that fact. It is highly unlikely that the mainstream of base-load electricity will be imported, but we shall certainly not restrict it.