§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what restrictions apply in the case of Mr. Malpas, the ex-chairman of PowerGen, with regard to the acceptance by him of directorships in other electricity-related companies.
§ Mr. BaldryThere are no restrictions. Appointments to the boards of the electricity companies will be a matter for the companies once they have been floated.
§ Mr. MorganTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy what restrictions he applied on the number of staff and advisers to the Hanson Group plc who were to be given access to commercially confidential information in respect of PowerGen; and what measures have been taken to limit any subsequent use of such confidential information.
§ Mr. BaldryUnder a confidentiality agreement between Hanson plc and my right hon. Friend, access to commercially confidential information relating to PowerGen plc was restricted to named persons within Hanson plc and its advisers. The Government had the right to require that information provided by them or by PowerGen be returned or destroyed. This has now been done. Furthermore, the named persons are not permitted, at any time before 1 April 1993, directly or indirectly, to have any interest in any shares in the capital of PowerGen.