HC Deb 13 June 1991 vol 192 c656W
21. Mr. Beggs

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what are his reasons for deciding not to privatise Northern Ireland Electricity generation and distribution as a single entity.

Mr. Needham

I am anxious to inject as much competition as possible into the Northern Ireland electricity industry, as I believe competition will lead to benefits for consumers. It would be difficult to have fair competition for future generation if NIE also owned generating stations.

Dr. Michael Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what progress he has made in the privatisation of Northern Ireland Electricity; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Needham

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier today to the hon. Member for Littleborough and Saddleworth (Mr. Dickens).