§ Mr. AdleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what further proposals for the electricity industry he has to ensure the continuing existence of the national grid.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe benefits of the national grid will be maintained. It will be established as a separate company owned by the distribution companies who will have the statutory obligation to supply. As the holder of the transmission licence it will have a clear statutory duty to develop and maintain an efficient, co-ordinated and economical system of electricity transmission.
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§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy who will pay for the costs and major risks of the nuclear programme, after the privatisation of electricity.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Government will be taking powers in the Electricity Bill to enable them to contribute towards certain unforeseen nuclear back end costs. All other nuclear costs and risks will be shared, as they are now, between the company and the customer.