Dr. ThomasTo ask the Secretary of State for Energy if he will make a statement on agreements made at the meeting of the Council of Energy Ministers in Brussels on 8 November; and what are the implications for future construction of power plants in the United Kingdom 683W following from the decision to begin to establish a free market in electricity imports and exports in the European Economic Community.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's statement to the House of 14 November 1988 at column 426 on the outcome of the Energy Council of 8 November 1988.
Trade in electricity is subject to the Treaty of Rome and therefore to the provisions in it precluding barriers to imports and exports between member states. The organisation of the industry in many member states however in practice may inhibit trade and on 8 November the Council endorsed the Commission intention to prepare a report on these practical problems. Importers of electricity into the United Kingdom already have common carrier rights and the right to sell to the utilities at a fair price established by the Energy Act 1983.