§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether consideration has been given to the possibility of a joint electricity and telephone cable link between Rathlin island and the mainland; and what conclusions have been reached.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 7 December 1988]: No. I understand that such a link would not be practicable; amongst other reasons, the electricity cable would be likely to cause interference to any telephone cable laid in close proximity.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he has received a report of the results of Northern Ireland Electricity's survey regarding the possible supply of mains electricity to Rathlin island; and what further discussions he has had with Northern Ireland Electricity regarding the implications of the results.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 7 December 1988]: No. This is a matter in the first instance for consideration by the board of Northern Ireland Electricity. I refer the hon. Gentleman to the reply given to a question by the right hon. Member for Strangford (Mr. Taylor) on 7 December 1988, at column 195.
§ Mr. HumeTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on what consideration is being given to funding a scheme to provide Rathlin island with mains electricity; and whether such consideration includes the possibility of European regional fund assistance.
§ Mr. Viggers[holding answer 7 December 1988]: Various methods of providing Rathlin island with a mains supply are currently being examined by Northern Ireland Electricity. Consideration of the economic viability of these will take account of the possibility of European regional development fund assistance.