HC Deb 11 May 1994 vol 243 cc316-7
18. Mr. Beith

To ask the President of the Board of Trade if he will make a statement about progress on his proposals to privatise the remaining Government stake in electricity generation.

Mr. Eggar

My right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has announced his intention to sell, subject to market conditions, some or all of his share holdings in National Power plc and PowerGen plc in the financial year 1994–95.

Mr. Beith

Will the Minister tell us whether the forthcoming sale of shares has in any way influenced the Government in opposing the Energy Conservation Bill or in any way influenced them in their decision to table 216 amendments to the Bill? Before he formulates his answer, will he bear in mind the fact that it is not a good idea inadvertently to mislead the House in tactics for private Members' Bills?

Mr. Eggar

As the right hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well, the decision is taken by my right hon. and learned Friend and I cannot answer for him.

Mr. Moss

As Nuclear Electric is still in public ownership, does my hon. Friend agree that privatisation of that industry is crucial to the future of the nuclear industry?

Mr. Eggar

I am aware that Nuclear Electric wishes to be privatised and I am aware that a number of my hon. Friends support that aspiration. As my hon. Friend knows, we have to await the Government's decision on the terms of reference of the nuclear review and then the outcome of the nuclear review before I can make any announcement on the Government's policy on that matter.

Mr. Dafis

May we now take it that we all understand the real reason why the Energy Conservation Bill was blocked? Does not that tell us what a short-sighted understanding of matters the Government have because they are not able to recognise the enormous economic and financial gains that would come from an energy efficiency programme? Why on earth cannot they understand that it is disgraceful to think that the promotion of privatisation will be successful—according to their terms—to the extent that they will encourage waste and unnecessary over-consumption of electricity? What a reflection that is on the bankruptcy of our economic system as well as the Government's privatisation programme.

Mr. Eggar

No. Neither the House nor the country can come to that conclusion from my previous answer. I must say to the hon. Gentleman, whose dedication to the whole cause of energy conservation I recognise and, indeed, share, that I am surprised if he wished to bring up that particular subject, that he did not comment on the suggestions in the consultation paper, which I published with the Director General of Ofgas, which is important in the gas market with regard to promoting energy conservation. He may like to consider that and I will be very happy to discuss it with him.