§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list each consultant's report commissioned by his Department relating to Northern Ireland Electricity in the past two years, with the fees paid in each case, and the total of consultancy fees paid.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe information sought is as follows:
582W
Consultant and title of report Fees paid £ Coopers and Lybrand Competition and interconnection study 154,851 Coopers and Lybrand Review of NIE performance aims 1989–90 14,732 Coopers and Lybrand Review of NIE performance aims 1990–91 18,814 PJR Management Organisation Consultants NIE organisational capability review 52,225 Ewbank Preece Ltd. Inspection of generating plant at Belfast West and Coolkeeragh 3,898 Touche Ross Advance long form report 140,320 Touche Ross Supplementary privatisation study 8,173 Ewbank Preece Ltd. Development of power station site 1— 1 Not yet paid.
Total fees paid to consultants (including those advising the Department of Economic Development on the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity) in the two years to 31 March 1991 were £3,582,418.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) what representations he has had from members of the board of Northern Ireland Electricity on the effect of restructuring the industry;
(2) what representations he had from the former chairman of Northern Ireland Electricity during his term of office on the privatisation of the industry.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe Government consulted the chairman and board of Northern Ireland Electricity in drawing up their proposals to privatise the industry. In responding to these proposals, the board made known its preference for NIE to be privatised as a single entity with strong regulation but accepted the Government's objectives in privatising the industry and committed itself to make the new structure a success.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether he will postpone the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity; and if he will establish an inquiry into the stewardship of the chief executive of Northern Ireland Electricity from the time of his appointment to date.
§ Mr. NeedhamNo. Privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity will further strengthen the Northern Ireland economy by laying the foundation for a more efficient electricity supply industry and there is no reason to postpone it. The day-to-day management of Northern Ireland Electricity is a matter for its board, in which the Government's confidence remains unaltered.