§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will amend the Electricity Act so as to retain the discretion of the Secretary of State to award second-tier direct-contract electricity supply licences after privatisation to premises with a load under 1 MW.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerNo. The Electricity Act provides for the Secretary of State to exercise such discretion within his general duties under the Act.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what arrangements he proposes for selling to the privatised British distribution companies electricity generated by French nuclear power stations and imported via the cross channel connectors; what companies he proposes to establish for this purpose; whether he has appointed any chairman-designate to such companies; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerPublic electricity suppliers, or any other suppliers, will be free to enter into commercial arrangements with Electricite de France for the purchase of electricity. We have no intention of establishing a company to import electricity from France.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his latest estimate of price per KW of the nuclear levy through which the area electricity boards will recoup the cost of meeting their non-fossil-fuel obligation after privatisation.
512W
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe fossil fuel levy will depend on the prices charged for nuclear and fossil-fuelled electricity. Contract negotiations are currently taking place. I cannot anticipate their outcome.
§ Dr. Kim HowellsTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy with whom he proposes that the obligations to supply electricity will rest after privatisation.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerObligations to supply electricity will rest with those authorised to supply by licence or exemption under sections 5 and 6 of the Electricity Act 1989.