Electricity Privatisation (Hansard, 13 November 1989)

§ 4. Mrs. Clwyd
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate for the total cost of publicising the new electricity companies and privatising the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
No expenditure on publicising the new electricity companies has so far been incurred by Government. Expenditure by the industry is a matter for the industry itself. The total costs which will be incurred in the privatisation of the electricity supply industry will depend upon many factors that have not yet been decided.

§ 22. Mr. Cummings
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is his most recent estimate of slippage in the timetable for the privatisation of the electricity supply industry; and if he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Wakeham
There has been no slippage in the overall timetable for the privatisation. We still intend to complete it within this Parliament.
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§ 48. Mr. Rost
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what progress has been made in the setting up of independent generation companies after the restructuring of the electricity supply industry.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham, Selly Oak (Mr. Beaumont-Dark) earlier today.

§ 52. Mr. Bright
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy when the privatisation of the electricity industry is now expected to take place.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
The electricity industry will be privatised within this Parliament; the area boards will be offered for sale in autumn 1990 and the two generating companies will be offered for sale in the first half of 1991. Exact dates will be set nearer the time.

§ 53. Mr. Rooker
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he intends to remove the advanced gas-cooled reactors from the electricity privatisation.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement on 9 November at column 1175.

§ 75. Mr. Kirkwood
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy whether the recently agreed package of measures between the Department and the electricity industry are intended to lead to increased competition after the privatisation of the electricity industry.

§ Mr. Michael Spicer
The contractual package announced at the end of September is designed to provide a stable transition to full competition in electricity generation and supply.

§ Mr. Dobson
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the most recent estimated date for vesting day for each part of the electricity supply industry, and for the flotation of each, respectively.

§ Mr. Wakeham
The Government intend to implement the new structure of the industry at the end of March 1990; the area boards will be offered for sale in autumn 1990 and the two generating companies will be offered for sale in the first half of 1991. Exact dates will be set nearer the time.

§ Mr. Dobson
To ask the Secretary of State for Energy what is the total amount spent by his Department to date on outside advice on the privatisation of electricty; and which companies have received £1 million or more.

§ Mr. Wakeham
The total cost to my Department of all advisers working on electricity privatisation amounted to £0.8 million in 1987–88 and £5.5 million in 1988–89. In addition, there is provision of £26.5 million relevant expenses in 1989–90. Detailed information about contracts with advisers is commercially confidential.