§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what proposals he has to compensate for the extra cost of electricity generation arising from increased heavy fuel oil excise duty.
§ Mr. AncramThe most effective ways of keeping energy costs down is through the promotion of competition and the pursuit of efficiency in the production, transmission and use of electricity. The Government will continue to encourage both efficiency and competition.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is his assessment of the effect on future: electricity prices in Northern Ireland of a 50 per cent. increase in heavy fuel oil duty.
§ Mr. AncramI am informed by Northern Ireland Electricity plc that a 50 per cent. increase in excise duty on heavy fuel oil would increase electricity prices in Northern Ireland by about 1 per cent.
§ Mr. BeggsTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make representations to have the extra heavy fuel oil excise duty set aside or if he will make available some additional transitional relief until such time as over dependence on heavy fuel oil is replaced by natural gas.
§ Mr. AncramNo. The decision to increase the level of excise duty on heavy fuel oil which was announced in the Chancellor's Budget statement in November is in line with the Government's commitment to deliver healthy public finances as quickly as possible and to keep electricity prices in check through the encouragement of competition and the pursuit of efficiency.